Addition polymer for electrodepositable coating compositions

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to an addition polymer comprising an addition polymer backbone; at least one moiety comprising a sulfonic acid group; and at least one carbamate functional group. The present invention is also directed towards methods of making the addition polymer, aqueous resinous dispersions comprising the addition polymer, methods of coating a substrate and coated substrates.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards an addition polymer, aqueous dispersions and electrodepositable coating compositions containing said addition polymer, methods of coating substrates making use thereof and coated substrates obtainable therefrom.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Electrodeposition as a coating application method involves the deposition of a film-forming composition onto a conductive substrate under the influence of an applied electrical potential. Electrodeposition has gained popularity in the coatings industry because it provides higher paint utilization (i.e., less paint waste), outstanding corrosion resistance, and low environmental contamination as compared with non-electrophoretic coating methods. Some coatings formed from electrodepositable coating compositions have lacked stability to hydrolysis resulting in degradation of the coating film from exposure to water. Other coatings formed from electrodepositable coating compositions are stable to hydrolysis but require high heating temperatures in order to cure the electrodeposited coating. Therefore, an electrodepositable coating composition that cures at low temperatures and results in a coating having hydrolytic stability is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is an addition polymer comprising an addition polymer backbone; at least one moiety comprising a sulfonic acid group; and at least one carbamate functional group.

Also disclosed herein is an aqueous resinous dispersion comprising an addition polymer comprising an addition polymer backbone, at least one moiety comprising sulfonic acid group, and at least one carbamate functional group; and a curing agent.

Further disclosed herein is a method of coating a substrate comprising electrophoretically depositing a coating formed from the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention onto at least a portion of the substrate.

Further disclosed herein is a coated substrate at least partially coated with a coating deposited from the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As stated above, the present invention is directed to an addition polymer comprising an addition polymer backbone; at least one moiety comprising at least one sulfonic acid group; and at least one carbamate functional group.

As used herein, the term “addition polymer” refers to a polymer at least partially derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers. As used herein, the term “unsaturated” refers to the presence of at least one double bond that could be “saturated” by addition of H₂. As used herein, the term “moiety” refers to a substituent or side chain extending from the addition polymer backbone. As used herein, the term “addition polymer backbone” refers to the main polymeric chain formed during the polymerization of the addition polymer. As used herein, unless indicated otherwise, the addition polymer backbone as depicted in structures is represented by a wavy line. As understood by one skilled in the art, ethylenically unsaturated groups of monomers react during an addition polymerization reaction to form a growing polymeric chain of monomers with the residue of the unsaturated group of each monomer bonded along the chain by carbon-carbon bonds to form the addition polymer backbone and the remainder of each of the monomers form a pendant moiety or group. Accordingly, the addition polymer backbone generally comprises repeating units of (—CH₂—CH(X)—), wherein X comprises a pendant moiety.

The ethylenically unsaturated monomers may be polymerized in an addition polymerization reaction wherein new monomer units are added to the growing polymer molecule one at a time in a chain reaction through unsaturated groups (double bonds) in the monomers. The two carbon atoms forming the unsaturated group are incorporated into the polymer backbone of the addition polymer and the remainder of the monomer forms a pendant moiety or group.

As used herein, the term sulfonic acid group refers to groups having the following structure:

The term sulfonic acid group may also be used to refer to salts of sulfonic acids.

The at least one moiety comprising at least one sulfonic acid group may comprise the structure:

wherein R_(L) is optional and comprises an organic linking group that binds the sulfonic acid group or salt thereof to the polymer backbone. The organic linking group represented by R_(L) may comprise an alkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combinations thereof, and may be substituted or unsubstituted, including substitution with further sulfonic acid groups or salts thereof. The organic linking group represented by R_(L) may bind the moiety to the polymer backbone through a carbon-carbon covalent bond, wherein the moiety (and organic linking group R_(L)) terminates in a carbon atom that is covalently bonded to a carbon atom present in the addition polymer backbone. The terminal carbon atom of the moiety that is covalently bonded to a carbon atom present in the addition polymer backbone may be part of an ester group. The organic linking group may be substituted or unsubstituted. For example, the at least one moiety comprising at least one sulfonic acid group may comprise the residue of a monomer containing an acrylamide group and comprise the structure:

wherein R comprises an alkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloalkylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combinations thereof. An exemplary moiety may comprise the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ each independently comprise hydrogen, an alkyl radical, or an aryl radical. A specific example of a moiety comprising sulfonic acid includes the moiety according to the structure:

The addition polymer may have a theoretical sulfonic acid equivalent weight of at least 2,000 g/equivalent, such as at least 5,000 g/equivalent, such as at least 10,000 g/equivalent, and may be no more than 200,000 g/equivalent, such as no more than 100,000 g/equivalent, such as no more than 50,000 g/equivalent, based on the total solids weights of the addition polymer. The addition polymer may have a theoretical sulfonic acid equivalent weight of 2,000 g/equivalent to 200,000 g/equivalent, such as 5,000 g/equivalent to 100,000 g/equivalent, such as 10,000 g/equivalent to 50,000 g/equivalent, based on the total solids weights of the addition polymer.

According to the present invention, the addition polymer further comprises at least one carbamate functional group. As used herein, the term “carbamate functional group” refers to a functional group on the addition polymer according to the formula R_(x)OC(═O)N(R_(y))₂, wherein each R_(x) comprises an organic group and each R_(y) independently comprises hydrogen or an organic group. The carbamate functional group may be present as a pendant moiety of the addition polymer, and the moiety optionally may further comprise an organic linking group. For example, the addition polymer may comprise at least one moiety comprising the carbamate group, the moiety having the structure:

wherein R₃ comprises an optional organic linking group binding the carbamate functional group to the addition polymer backbone, and R₄ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group. As used herein, the term “organyl group” refers to a monovalent organic group that may include a substituted or unsubstituted, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, or cycloaryl group, or a combination thereof. The monovalent organic group may comprise, for example, a monovalent hydrocarbyl such as an alkyl radical, a cycloalkyl radical, an aryl radical, a cycloaryl radical, or a combination thereof. The optional organic linking group may bind the addition polymer backbone and the carbamate functional group together, and may comprise a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group such as an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combinations thereof. For example, a moiety comprising the carbamate functional group and organic linking group may have the structure:

wherein R₅ comprises a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group such as an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combinations thereof, and R₄ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group. Another example of the carbamate functional group and organic linking group may have the structure:

wherein R₆ and R₇ each independently comprise a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group such as an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combinations thereof. A specific non-limiting example of a moiety comprising the carbamate functional group and an organic linking group binding the carbamate functional group to the polymeric backbone may have the structure:

wherein R₈ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.

The addition polymer may have a theoretical carbamate functional group equivalent weight of at least 200 g/equivalent, such as at least 300 g/equivalent, such as 400 g/equivalent, and may be no more than 5,000 g/equivalent, such as no more than 2,500 g/equivalent, such as no more than 1,000 g/equivalent, based on the total solids weights of the addition polymer. The addition polymer may have a theoretical carbamate functional group equivalent weight of 200 to 5,000 g/equivalent, such as 300 to 2,500 g/equivalent, such as 400 to 1,000 g/equivalent, based on the total solids weights of the addition polymer.

The addition polymer may further comprise other functional groups including, for example, epoxide, hydroxyl, thiol, amino, urea, amide, phosphorous acid groups, and/or carboxylic acid groups. Alternatively, the addition polymer may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of any or all of these functional groups. As used herein, the term “substantially free”, “essentially free” or “completely free” with respect to the presence of a functional group means that the functional group is present, if at all, in an amount of 3% or less, 0.1% or less, or 0.00%, respectively, the percentage based upon the total number of the functional group relative to the total number of functional groups.

The z-average molecular weight (M_(z)) of the addition polymer may be at least 20,000 g/mol, such as at least 40,000 g/mol, such as at least 60,000 g/mol, and may be no more than 500,000 g/mol, such as no more than 250,000 g/mol, such as no more than 150,000 g/mol. The molecular weight of the addition polymer may be 20,000 to 500,000 g/mol, 40,000 to 250,000 g/mol, such as 60,000 to 150,000 g/mol. As used herein, the term “z-average molecular weight” or “(M_(z))” means the z-average molecular weight (M_(z)) as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using Waters 2695 separation module with a Waters 410 differential refractometer (RI detector), linear polystyrene standards having molecular weights of from 580 Da to 365,000 Da, dimethylformamide (DMF) with 0.05 M lithium bromide (LiBr) as the eluent at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min, and one Shodex Asahipak GF-510 HQ column (300×7.5 mm, 5 μm) for separation. This procedure was used to determine the measured z-average molecular weight of any polymers in the Examples section.

The addition polymer may be derived from, and comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of, one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, such as those discussed below and may be prepared by polymerizing a reaction mixture of such monomers. The mixture of monomers may comprise one or more sulfonic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers and one or more carbamate functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The mixture of monomers may further optionally comprise one or more other ethylenically unsaturated monomer(s) such as, for example, alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid, alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, hydroxyl-functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers, vinyl aromatic monomers, as well as other ethylenically unsaturated monomers.

The addition polymer may be derived from, and comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of one or more sulfonic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Such monomers comprise at least one sulfonic acid functional group and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group. The sulfonic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers may be according to the general structure:

wherein R_(L) comprises an organic linking group and R₉ comprises hydrogen or a methyl group. A non-limiting example of a sulfonic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer includes 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) having the structure:

wherein R₉ comprises hydrogen or a methyl group.

The constitutional units comprising the residue of sulfonic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers may comprise at least 0.1% by weight, such as at least 0.5% by weight, such as at least 1% by weight, and may be no more than 10% by weight, such as no more than 5% by weight, such as no more than 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The constitutional units comprising the residue of the sulfonic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers may comprise 0.1% to 10% by weight, such as 0.5% to 5% by weight, such as 1% to 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The addition polymer may be derived from a reaction mixture comprising sulfonic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers in an amount of 0.1% to 10% by weight, such as 0.5% to 5% by weight, such as 1% to 4% by weight, based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers used in the reaction mixture.

The addition polymer may be derived from, and comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of one or more carbamate functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Such monomers comprise at least one carbamate functional group and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group. The carbamate functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer may be according to the general structure:

wherein R₁₀ comprises an organyl group comprising at least one ethylenically unsaturated group and R₁₁ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group. For example, the carbamate functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer may be according to the structure:

wherein R₁₁ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group; R₁₂ comprises a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group such as an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combinations thereof; and R₉ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group. For example, R₁₂ may comprise:

wherein R₁₃ comprises a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group such as an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combinations thereof. In another example, R₁₂ may comprise:

wherein R₈ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group; R₁₄ comprises a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group such as an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combinations thereof; and n is a positive integer from 1 to 100. In another example, R₁₂ may comprise:

wherein R₈ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group; R₁₅ comprises a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group such as an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or combination thereof; and y is a positive integer from 1 to 100. In another example, R₁₂ may comprise:

wherein each R₈ independently comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group; n is a positive integer from 1 to 100; and y is a positive integer from 1 to 100.

A non-limiting example of a carbamate functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer is a monomer according to the following structure:

wherein R₉ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.

Another non-limiting example of a carbamate functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer is the monomer according to the following structure:

wherein R₉ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.

Another non-limiting example of a carbamate functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer is the monomer according to the following structure:

wherein R₉ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.

Another non-limiting example of a carbamate functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer is the monomer according to the following structure:

wherein R₁₆ comprises a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or aryl group and R₉ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.

The constitutional units comprising the residue of carbamate functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers may comprise at least 10% by weight, such as at least 30% by weight, such as at least 40% by weight, and may be no more than 75% by weight, such as no more than 65% by weight, such as no more than 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The constitutional units comprising the residue of the carbamate functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers may comprise 10% to 75% by weight, such as 30% to 65% by weight, such as 40% to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The addition polymer may be derived from a reaction mixture of polymerizable monomers comprising carbamate functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers in an amount of comprise 10% to 75% by weight, such as 30% to 65% by weight, such as 40% to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers used in the reaction mixture.

Alternatively, carbamate functional groups may be incorporated into the addition polymer by a post-reaction with isocyanato groups present on the addition polymer. For example, the addition polymer may be derived from, and comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of one or more isocyanato functional ethylenically unsaturated monomers such that the addition polymer comprises isocyanato functional groups. The addition polymer may then be post-reacted with an active hydrogen group-containing, carbamate functional molecule wherein the active hydrogen group reacts with the isocyanato functional group of the addition polymer whereby the carbamate groups are incorporated into the addition polymer. As used herein, the term “active hydrogen functional groups” refers to those groups that are reactive with isocyanates as determined by the Zerewitinoff test described in the JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, Vol. 49, page 3181 (1927), and include, for example, hydroxyl groups, primary or secondary amino groups, and thiol groups.

Alternatively, carbamate functional groups may be incorporated into the addition polymer by a post-reaction with active hydrogen groups present on the addition polymer. For example, the addition polymer may be derived from, and comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of one or more active hydrogen group-containing ethylenically unsaturated monomers (for example, hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate monomers) such that the addition polymer comprises active hydrogen groups. The addition polymer may then be post-reacted with an isocyanato-functional, carbamate functional molecule wherein the isocyanato functional group reacts with the active hydrogen groups of the addition polymer and the carbamate groups are incorporated into the addition polymer.

The addition polymer may also comprise other acid functional groups, such as carboxylic acid, a phosphorous acid or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the addition polymer may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of other acid functional groups.

The addition polymer may be derived from, and optionally further comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of one or more alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid. The alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid may contain from 1 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, such as 1 to 3, such as 4 to 18. Non-limiting examples of alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid include methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate and propyl (meth)acrylate.

The constitutional units comprising the residue of alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid may comprise at least 10% by weight, such as at least 15% by weight, such as at least 20% by weight, and may be no more than 90% by weight, such as no more than 50% by weight, such as no more than 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The constitutional units comprising the residue of the alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid may comprise 10% to 90% by weight, such as 15% to 50% by weight, such as 20% to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The addition polymer may be derived from a reaction mixture of polymerizable monomers comprising alkyl esters of (meth)acrylic acid in an amount of 10% to 90% by weight, such as 15% to 50% by weight, such as 20% to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers used in the reaction mixture.

The addition polymer optionally may be derived from, and optionally further comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of one or more alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids. Non-limiting examples of alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids include those containing up to 10 carbon atoms such as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Non-limiting examples of other unsaturated acids are alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as maleic acid or its anhydride, fumaric acid and itaconic acid. Also, the half esters of these dicarboxylic acids may be employed.

The constitutional units comprising the residue of alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, if present, may comprise at least 1% by weight, such as at least 2% by weight, such as at least 3% by weight, and may be no more than 30% by weight, such as no more than 20% by weight, such as no more than 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The constitutional units comprising the residue of the alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, if present, may comprise 1% to 30% by weight, such as 2% to 20% by weight, such as 3% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The addition polymer may be derived from a reaction mixture comprising alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids in an amount of comprise 1% to 30% by weight, such as 2% to 20% by weight, such as 3% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers used in the reaction mixture.

The addition polymer optionally may be derived from, and optionally further comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of one or more vinyl aromatic monomers. Non-limiting examples of vinyl aromatic monomers include styrene, alpha-methyl styrene, alpha-chlorostyrene and vinyl toluene.

The constitutional units comprising the residue of vinyl aromatic monomers, if present, may comprise at least 1% by weight, such as at least 5% by weight, such as at least 10% by weight, and may be no more than 30% by weight, such as no more than 25% by weight, such as no more than 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The constitutional units comprising the residue of the vinyl aromatic monomers, if present, may comprise 1% to 30% by weight, such as 5% to 25% by weight, such as 10% to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The addition polymer may be derived from a reaction mixture comprising vinyl aromatic monomers in an amount of comprise 1% to 30% by weight, such as 5% to 25% by weight, such as 10% to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers used in the reaction mixture.

The addition polymer optionally may be derived from, and optionally further comprise constitutional units comprising the residue of one or more hydroxyalkyl esters. Non-limiting examples of hydroxyalkyl esters include hydroxyethyl (meth)acrylate and hydroxypropyl (meth)acrylate.

The constitutional units comprising the residue of hydroxyalkyl esters, if present, may comprise at least 1% by weight, such as at least 2% by weight, such as at least 3% by weight, and may be no more than 30% by weight, such as no more than 20% by weight, such as no more than 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The constitutional units comprising the residue of the hydroxyalkyl esters, if present, may comprise 1% to 30% by weight, such as 2% to 20% by weight, such as 3% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the addition polymer. The addition polymer may be derived from a reaction mixture comprising hydroxyalkyl esters in an amount of comprise 1% to 30% by weight, such as 2% to 20% by weight, such as 3% to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers used in the reaction mixture, if present.

If carboxylic acid groups are present, the molar ratio of carboxylic acid groups to sulfonic acid groups present on the formed addition polymer, or the molar ratio of alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer to sulfonic acid functional ethylenically unsaturated monomer, may be from 20:1 to 1:99, such as from 15:1 to 5:1, such as from 13:1 to 7:1.

The addition polymer may be prepared by conventional free radical initiated solution polymerization techniques in which the polymerizable monomers are dissolved in an organic medium and polymerized in the presence of a free radical initiator until conversion is complete.

Examples of free radical initiators are those which are soluble in the mixture of monomers such as azobisisobutyronitrile, azobis(alpha, gamma-methylvaleronitrile), tertiary-butyl perbenzoate, tertiary-butyl peracetate, benzoyl peroxide, ditertiary-butyl peroxide and tertiary amyl peroxy 2-ethylhexyl carbonate. The free radical initiator may be present in an amount of 0.01 to 6 parts by weight, per 100 parts of resin solids. Any percentages of resin solids included herein do not include the weight of the free radical initiator.

Optionally, a chain transfer agent which is soluble in the mixture of monomers such as alkyl mercaptans, for example, tertiary-dodecyl mercaptan; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, chlorohydrocarbons such as chloroform can be used. A chain transfer agent provides control over the molecular weight to give products having required viscosity for various coating applications.

The present invention is also directed to a method of making an addition polymer described above, the method comprising polymerizing a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising (i) at least one sulfonic acid functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer; and (ii) at least one carbamate functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers may further comprise other monomers, as described above.

According to the present invention, the addition polymer may be dispersed in a dispersing medium comprising water. The addition polymer may be, prior to or during dispersion in a dispersing medium comprising water, at least partially neutralized by, for example, treating with a base to form a water-dispersible anionic salt group-containing addition polymer. As used herein, the term “water-dispersible” means that a material is adapted to be solubilized, dispersed, and/or emulsified in water. As used herein, the term “anionic salt group-containing addition polymer” refers to an addition polymer comprising at least partially neutralized anionic functional groups, such as, for example, sulfonic acid groups, that impart a negative charge to the resin. Non-limiting examples of suitable bases include both organic and inorganic bases. Illustrative examples of suitable bases are ammonia, monoalkylamines, dialkylamines, or trialkylamines such as ethylamine, propylamine, dimethylamine, dibutylamine and cyclohexylamine; monoalkanolamine, dialkanolamine or trialkanolamine such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, propanolamine, isopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, dimethylethanolamine and diethylethanolamine; morpholines, e.g., N-methylmorpholine or N-ethylmorpholine. The percent of neutralization is such as would make the polymer water-dispersible and electrophoretic. One or more of such bases may be added to the addition polymer in an amount sufficient to theoretically neutralize the addition polymer from, for example, 20 to 200 percent, such as 40 to 150 percent, such as 60 to 120 percent of theoretical neutralization.

The addition polymer may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely of hydroxyl functional groups. As used herein, substantially free or essentially free with respect to hydroxyl groups present in the addition polymer refers to addition polymer having a theoretical hydroxyl equivalent weight of more than 5,000 g/mol or more than 20,000 g/mol, respectively, based on the total solids weights of the addition polymer.

The addition polymer may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely of carboxylic acid functional groups. As used herein, substantially free or essentially free with respect to carboxylic acid functional groups present in the addition polymer refers to addition polymer having a theoretical carboxylic acid equivalent weight of more than 5,000 g/mol or more than 20,000 g/mol, respectively, based on the total solids weights of the addition polymer.

The present invention is also directed to an aqueous resinous dispersion comprising the addition polymer described above and a curing agent. The aqueous resinous dispersion comprises a dispersion of the addition polymer in a continuous phase of an aqueous medium comprising greater than 50% by weight water, based on the total weight of the aqueous medium. For example, the aqueous medium may comprise at least 80% by weight water, based on the total weight of the aqueous medium. The aqueous medium may further comprise one or more organic solvents. Examples of suitable organic solvents include oxygenated organic solvents, such as monoalkyl ethers of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and dipropylene glycol which contain from 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, such as the monoethyl and monobutyl ethers of these glycols. Examples of other at least partially water-miscible solvents include alcohols such as ethanol, isopropanol, butanol and diacetone alcohol. If used, the amount of organic solvent present in the aqueous dispersion may be less than 20% by weight, such as less than 10% by weight, such as less than 5% by weight, such as less than 2% by weight, with the % by weight being based on the total weight of the aqueous medium. The curing agent, and any other optional ingredients, may be present is the dispersed resinous phase, the continuous phase, a third phase that is neither the resinous phase nor the continuous phase, or in a combination of the resinous phase, continuous phase and/or third phase, and may be either solubilized, dispersed, or a combination thereof.

According to the present invention, the addition polymer may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion as the main vehicle resin, a grind resin, or an auxiliary resin. The addition polymer may be present in an amount of at least 2% by weight, such as at least 4% by weight, such as at least 5% by weight, such as at least 50% by weight, such as at least 55% by weight, such as at least 60% by weight, and may be present in an amount of no more than 90% by weight, such as no more than 80% by weight, such as no more than 75% by weight, such as no more than 20% by weight, such as no more than 18% by weight, such as no more than 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion. The addition polymer may, for example, be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in an amount 2% to 90% by weight, such as 4% to 80% by weight, such as 5% to 75% by weight, such as, 50% to 90%, such as 55% to 80%, such as 60% to 75%, such as 2% to 20%, such as 4% to 18%, such as 5% to 15%, based on the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion. As used herein, the term “grind vehicle resin” refers to resins used to formulate a pigment paste that may be incorporated into the aqueous resinous dispersion.

According to the present invention, the aqueous resinous dispersions of the present invention may further comprise a curing agent. The curing agent may comprise at least two functional groups that react with the reactive groups, such as carbamate, sulfonic acid, and/or active hydrogen functional groups, of the addition polymer to cure the coating composition to form a coating. As used herein, the term “cure”, “cured” or similar terms, as used in connection with the aqueous resinous dispersion described herein, means that at least a portion of the components that form the aqueous resinous dispersion are crosslinked to form a thermoset coating. Additionally, curing of the aqueous resinous dispersion refers to subjecting said composition to curing conditions (e.g., elevated temperature) leading to the reaction of the reactive functional groups of the components of the aqueous resinous dispersion, and resulting in the crosslinking of the components of the composition and formation of an at least partially cured coating. Non-limiting examples of suitable curing agents are at least partially blocked polyisocyanates, aminoplast resins and phenoplast resins, such as phenolformaldehyde condensates including allyl ether derivatives thereof.

Suitable at least partially blocked polyisocyanates include aliphatic polyisocyanates, aromatic polyisocyanates, and mixtures thereof. The curing agent may comprise an at least partially blocked aliphatic polyisocyanate. Suitable at least partially blocked aliphatic polyisocyanates include, for example, fully blocked aliphatic polyisocyanates, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,299 at col. 1 line 57 to col. 3 line 15, this portion of which is incorporated herein by reference, or partially blocked aliphatic polyisocyanates that are reacted with the polymer backbone, such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,947,338 at col. 2 line 65 to col. 4 line 30, this portion of which is also incorporated herein by reference. By “blocked” is meant that the isocyanate groups have been reacted with a compound such that the resultant blocked isocyanate group is stable at ambient temperature but reactive at elevated temperatures, such as between 90° C. and 200° C. The polyisocyanate curing agent may be a fully blocked polyisocyanate with substantially no free isocyanato groups.

The polyisocyanate curing agent may comprise a diisocyanate, higher functional polyisocyanates or combinations thereof. For example, the polyisocyanate curing agent may comprise aliphatic and/or aromatic polyisocyanates. Aliphatic polyisocyanates may include (i) alkylene isocyanates, such as trimethylene diisocyanate, tetramethylene diisocyanate, pentamethylene diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate (“HDI”), 1,2-propylene diisocyanate, 1,2-butylene diisocyanate, 2,3-butylene diisocyanate, 1,3-butylene diisocyanate, ethylidene diisocyanate, and butylidene diisocyanate, and (ii) cycloalkylene isocyanates, such as 1,3-cyclopentane diisocyanate, 1,4-cyclohexane diisocyanate, 1,2-cyclohexane diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate, methylene bis(4-cyclohexylisocyanate) (“HMDI”), the cyclo-trimer of 1,6-hexmethylene diisocyanate (also known as the isocyanurate trimer of HDI, commercially available as Desmodur N3300 from Covestro AG), and meta-tetramethylxylylene diisocyanate (commercially available as TMXDI® from Allnex SA). Aromatic polyisocyanates may include (i) arylene isocyanates, such as m-phenylene diisocyanate, p-phenylene diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate and 1,4-naphthalene diisocyanate, and (ii) alkarylene isocyanates, such as 4,4′-diphenylene methane (“MDI”), 2,4-tolylene or 2,6-tolylene diisocyanate (“TDI”), or mixtures thereof, 4,4-toluidine diisocyanate and xylylene diisocyanate. Triisocyanates, such as triphenyl methane-4,4′,4″-triisocyanate, 1,3,5-triisocyanato benzene and 2,4,6-triisocyanato toluene, tetraisocyanates, such as 4,4′-diphenyldimethyl methane-2,2′,5,5′-tetraisocyanate, and polymerized polyisocyanates, such as tolylene diisocyanate dimers and trimers and the like, may also be used. The curing agent may comprise a blocked polyisocyanate selected from a polymeric polyisocyanate, such as polymeric HDI, polymeric MDI, polymeric isophorone diisocyanate, and the like. The curing agent may also comprise a blocked trimer of hexamethylene diisocyanate available as Desmodur N3300® from Covestro A G. Mixtures of polyisocyanate curing agents may also be used.

The polyisocyanate curing agent may be at least partially blocked with at least one blocking agent selected from a 1,2-alkane diol, for example 1,2-propanediol; a 1,3-alkane diol, for example 1,3-butanediol; a benzylic alcohol, for example, benzyl alcohol; an allylic alcohol, for example, allyl alcohol; caprolactam; a dialkylamine, for example dibutylamine; and mixtures thereof. The polyisocyanate curing agent may be at least partially blocked with at least one 1,2-alkane diol having three or more carbon atoms, for example 1,2-butanediol.

Other suitable blocking agents include aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic alkyl monoalcohols or phenolic compounds, including, for example, lower aliphatic alcohols, such as methanol, ethanol, and n-butanol; cycloaliphatic alcohols, such as cyclohexanol; aromatic-alkyl alcohols, such as phenyl carbinol and methylphenyl carbinol; and phenolic compounds, such as phenol itself and substituted phenols wherein the substituents do not affect coating operations, such as cresol and nitrophenol. Glycol ethers and glycol amines may also be used as blocking agents. Suitable glycol ethers include ethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether and propylene glycol methyl ether. Other suitable blocking agents include oximes, such as methyl ethyl ketoxime, acetone oxime and cyclohexanone oxime.

Alternatively, the aqueous resinous dispersion may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of blocked polyisocyanate curing agents. As used herein, the term “substantially free”, “essentially free” or “completely free” with respect to the presence of blocked polyisocyanate curing agents means that the blocked polyisocyanate curing agent is present, if at all, in an amount of 5% or less, 1% or less, or 0.00%, respectively, the percentage based upon the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion.

The curing agent may comprise an aminoplast resin. Aminoplast resins are condensation products of an aldehyde with an amino- or amido-group carrying substance. Condensation products obtained from the reaction of alcohols and an aldehyde with melamine, urea or benzoguanamine may be used. However, condensation products of other amines and amides may also be employed, for example, aldehyde condensates of triazines, diazines, triazoles, guanidines, guanamines and alkyl- and aryl-substituted derivatives of such compounds, including alkyl- and aryl-substituted ureas and alkyl- and aryl-substituted melamines. Some examples of such compounds are N,N′-dimethyl urea, benzourea, dicyandiamide, formaguanamine, acetoguanamine, ammeline, 2-chloro-4,6-diamino-1,3,5-triazine, 6-methyl-2,4-diamino-1,3,5-triazine, 3,5-diaminotriazole, triaminopyrimidine, 2-mercapto-4,6-diaminopyrimidine, 3,4,6-tris(ethylamino)-1,3,5-triazine, and the like. Suitable aldehydes include formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, crotonaldehyde, acrolein, benzaldehyde, furfural, glyoxal and the like.

The aminoplast resins may contain methylol or similar alkylol groups, and at least a portion of these alkylol groups may be etherified by a reaction with an alcohol to provide organic solvent-soluble resins. Any monohydric alcohol may be employed for this purpose, including such alcohols as methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, heptanol and others, as well as benzyl alcohol and other aromatic alcohols, cyclic alcohol such as cyclohexanol, monoethers of glycols such as Cellosolves and Carbitols, and halogen-substituted or other substituted alcohols, such as 3-chloropropanol and butoxyethanol.

Non-limiting examples of commercially available aminoplast resins are those available under the trademark CYMEL® from Allnex Belgium SA/NV, such as CYMEL 1130 and 1156, and RESIMENE® from INEOS Melamines, such as RESIMENE 750 and 753. Examples of suitable aminoplast resins also include those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,937,679 at col. 16, line 3 to col. 17, line 47, this portion of which being hereby incorporated by reference. As is disclosed in the aforementioned portion of the '679 patent, the aminoplast may be used in combination with the methylol phenol ethers.

Phenoplast resins are formed by the condensation of an aldehyde and a phenol. Suitable aldehydes include formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. Methylene-releasing and aldehyde-releasing agents, such as paraformaldehyde and hexamethylene tetramine, may also be utilized as the aldehyde agent. Various phenols may be used, such as phenol itself, a cresol, or a substituted phenol in which a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon radical having either a straight chain, a branched chain or a cyclic structure is substituted for a hydrogen in the aromatic ring. Mixtures of phenols may also be employed. Some specific examples of suitable phenols are p-phenylphenol, p-tert-butylphenol, p-tert-amylphenol, cyclopentylphenol and unsaturated hydrocarbon-substituted phenols, such as the monobutenyl phenols containing a butenyl group in ortho, meta or para position, and where the double bond occurs in various positions in the unsaturated hydrocarbon chain.

Aminoplast and phenoplast resins, as described above, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,215 at co1.6, line 20 to col. 7, line 12, the cited portion of which being incorporated herein by reference.

The curing agent may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in an amount of at least 10% by weight, such as at least 20% by weight, such as at least 25% by weight, and may be present in an amount of no more than 50% by weight, such as no more than 45% by weight, such as no more than 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion. The curing agent may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in an amount of 10% to 50% by weight, such as 20% to 45% by weight, such as 25% to 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion.

The aqueous resinous dispersion may optionally further comprise a phosphated epoxy resin. The phosphated epoxy resin may comprise any known in the art.

The phosphated epoxy resin may comprise at least one terminal group comprising a phosphorous atom covalently bonded to the resin by a carbon-phosphorous bond or by a phosphoester linkage, and at least one carbamate functional group. As used herein, the term “phosphated epoxy resin” refers to an ungelled epoxy resin derived from at least an epoxy-functional monomer, oligomer, or polymer, and a phosphorous-atom containing compound, such as a phosphorous acid. By “ungelled” is meant the resins are substantially free of crosslinking and have an intrinsic viscosity when dissolved in a suitable solvent, as determined, for example, in accordance with ASTM-D1795 or ASTM-D4243. The intrinsic viscosity of the reaction product is an indication of its molecular weight. A gelled reaction product, on the other hand, since it is of essentially infinitely high molecular weight due to substantial crosslinking of the resin molecules, will have an intrinsic viscosity too high to measure (i.e., cannot be dissolved in a solvent). As used herein, a reaction product that is “substantially free of crosslinking” refers to a reaction product that has a z-average molecular weight (Mz) of less than 500,000 g/mol. It will be understood that although referred to as a phosphated epoxy resin, the phosphated epoxy resin may be described as being derived from epoxy resins in which at least a portion or all of the epoxide functionality has been reacted and is no longer present.

According to the present invention, the phosphated epoxy resin comprises at least one terminal group comprising a phosphorous atom covalently bonded to the resin by a carbon-phosphorous bond or by a phosphoester linkage. The phosphorous atom may have one, two, three or four covalently bonded oxygen atom(s). At least one of the oxygen atoms may be covalently bonded to the phosphorous atom by a double bond. As used herein, the term “phosphoester linkage” refers to a covalent bond between a carbon atom and an oxygen of a phosphoester group, as demonstrated in the following exemplary structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ each represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, an alkyl radical, an aryl radical, or an additional phosphoester group. As used herein, the term “phosphoester group” refers to an oxygen atom covalently bonded to an alkyl radical or an aryl radical, wherein the oxygen atom is also covalently bonded to a phosphorous atom that is bonded to an additional oxygen atom by a double bond. For example, in the structure above, R₁ or R₂ will be considered to be a phosphoester group when R₁ or R₂ is O—R, wherein R is an alkyl radical or an aryl radical. It will be understood that the phosphorous atom may comprise three phosphoester groups, including the phosphoester linkage.

The terminal group may comprise phosphate, organophosphate, phosphonate, organophosphonate, phosphinate, organophosphinate, or, if multiple terminal groups are present, combinations thereof.

The terminal group comprising a phosphorous atom covalently bonded to the resin by a phosphoester linkage may be according to the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ each independently represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, an alkyl radical, an aryl radical, or a phosphoester group. Multiple terminal groups according to this structure may be present on the phosphated epoxy resin. For example, the phosphated epoxy resin may comprise at least two terminal groups comprising a phosphorous atom covalently bonded to the resin by a phosphoester linkage. A phosphated epoxy resin having two terminal groups comprising a phosphorous atom covalently bonded to the resin by a phosphoester linkage may be according to the structure:

wherein R₁, R₂, R₃ and R₄ each independently represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, an alkyl radical, an aryl radical, or a phosphoester group, and R represents the remainder of the phosphated epoxy resin. The remainder of the phosphated epoxy resin may comprise the remainder or residue of an epoxy-functional polymer. As used herein, the term “remainder or residue of an epoxy-functional polymer” with respect to an R-group refers to the polymeric backbone of the epoxy-functional polymer and any substituents present thereon that are not shown in the molecular structure. The remainder of the phosphated epoxy resin and/or remainder or residue of the epoxy-functional polymer may be aliphatic, aromatic, cyclic, acyclic, alicylic or heterocyclic. It should be understood that when R₁, R₂, R₃ or R₄ are hydroxyl, the R_(x)-group comprises a phosphoacid group that may further react with an epoxide functional group of an additional epoxy-containing polymer that results in a phosphated epoxy resin having an increased chain length with the phosphorous atom present in the polymer backbone. In addition, branching from the phosphorous acid may occur if two phosphoacid groups are present and each reacts with an epoxide functional group of an epoxy-containing polymer.

The phosphated epoxy resin may further comprise other terminal functional groups including, for example, epoxide, hydroxyl, thiol, amino, urea, amide, and/or carboxylic acid functional groups. Alternatively, the phosphated epoxy resin may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of any or all of these functional groups. As used herein, the term “substantially free”, “essentially free” or “completely free” with respect to the presence of a functional group means that the functional group is present in an amount of 3% or less, 0.1% or less, or 0.00%, respectively, the percentage based upon the total number of the functional group relative to the total number of epoxide, hydroxyl, thiol, amino, urea, amide, and/or carboxylic acid functional groups present on the resin.

A further non-limiting example of a polymer having terminal groups and pendant groups is the epoxy-functional polymer resulting from the reaction of an excess of diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A with bisphenol A. The resulting polymer has at least one terminal epoxide group (assuming at least one end of the polymeric chain terminates with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A) and at least one pendant hydroxyl group resulting from the epoxide ring-opening reaction of a hydroxyl functional group from bisphenol A with an epoxide functional group from diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A. In addition, a pendant chain may be introduced by reacting a compound with a pendant functional group on the backbone, such as, for example, the pendant hydroxyl functional group.

According to the present invention, the phosphated epoxy resin of the present invention may comprise a reaction product of a reaction mixture comprising an epoxy-functional polymer and a phosphorous acid. Accordingly, the phosphated epoxy resin may comprise the residue of an epoxy-functional polymer and a phosphorous acid.

The epoxy-functional polymer may comprise a polyepoxide. The polyepoxide may comprise a polyglycidyl ether of a polyphenol, such as bisphenol A. As will be appreciated, such polyepoxides can be produced by etherification of a polyphenol with an epichlorohydrin in the presence of an alkali. Suitable polyphenols include, without limitation, 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane; 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane; 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)isobutane; 2,2-bis(4-hydroxytertiarybutylphenyl)propane; bis(2-hydroxynaphthyl)methane; 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene; 1,1-bis(4-hydroxy-3-allylphenyl)ethane; and 4,4-bis(4′-hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid. Another class of polyepoxides may be produced similarly from polyphenol resins.

The epoxy-functional polymer may comprise a polymeric backbone comprising a polyepoxide that has been chain extended by reaction with a compound having at least two functional groups reactive with epoxy groups, such as, for example, di-functional compounds such as diols, diphenols (including Bisphenol A), dicarboxylic acids, dithiols, and/or diamines. These reactions may chain-extend the polymeric backbone of the epoxy resin and increase its molecular weight. The epoxide functional groups from the polyepoxide should be present in a stoichiometric excess such that the resulting polymer comprises at least one terminal epoxide functional group.

In addition to the polyepoxide(s), the reaction mixture may comprise a monomeric monoepoxide such as monoglycidyl ethers of alcohols and phenols, such as phenyl glycidyl ether, and glycidyl esters of monocarboxylic acids such as glycidyl neodecanoate. Alternatively, the reaction mixture may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of such monomers, and the phosphated epoxy resin may also be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of the residue of such monomers. The terms substantially free, essentially free, and completely free as used with respect to the monomeric monoepoxide means less than 5% by weight, less than 1% by weight, and 0.0% by weight, respectively, of monoepoxide are present, if at all, based on the total weight of the reaction mixture or based on the weight of the phosphated epoxy resin, respectively.

The epoxy-functional polymer may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of pendant epoxide functional groups. As used herein, an epoxy-functional polymer is substantially free of pendant epoxide functional groups when 1 or less pendant epoxide functional group are present per molecule of the epoxy-functional polymer. As used herein, an epoxy-functional polymer is essentially free of pendant epoxide functional groups when 0.1 or less pendant epoxide functional group are present per molecule of the epoxy-functional polymer. As used herein, an epoxy-functional polymer is completely free of pendant epoxide functional groups when pendant epoxide functional group are not present in the epoxy-functional polymer.

The terminal group comprising a phosphorous atom covalently bonded to the resin by a phosphoester linkage may be produced by the reaction of a phosphorous acid with a terminal epoxide group of an epoxy-functional polymer. The phosphorous acid may comprise a phosphoric acid, a phosphonic acid, a phosphinic acid, or combinations thereof.

Non-limiting examples of phosphoric acids that could react with epoxide functional groups include a 100 percent orthophosphoric acid or a phosphoric acid aqueous solution such as is referred to as an 85 percent phosphoric acid. Other forms of phosphoric acid such as superphosphoric acid, diphosphoric acid and triphosphoric acid may be used. Also, the polymeric or partial anhydrides of phosphoric acids can be employed. For example, aqueous phosphoric acids that may comprise about 70 to 90 percent, such as about 85 percent phosphoric acid may be employed.

Non-limiting examples of phosphonic acids are organophosphonic acids of the structure:

wherein R is organic radical such as those having a total of 1-30, such as 6-18 carbons. R can be aliphatic, aromatic or mixed aliphatic/aromatic and can be an unsubstituted hydrocarbon or a substituted hydrocarbon.

Non-limiting examples of phosphinic acids are organophosphinic acids of the structure:

wherein R and R′ are each independently hydrogen or an organic radical. Examples of such radicals are those having a total of 1-30, such as 6-18 carbons. The organic component of the phosphinic acid (R, R′) can be aliphatic, aromatic or mixed aliphatic/aromatic. R and R′ can be an unsubstituted hydrocarbon or a substituted hydrocarbon.

Non-limiting specific examples of organophosphonic acids and organophosphinic acids are: 3-amino propyl phosphonic acid, 4-methoxyphenyl phosphonic acid, benzylphosphonic acid, butylphosphonic acid, carboxyethylphosphonic acid, diphenylphosphinic acid, dodecylphosphonic acid, ethylidenediphosphonic acid, heptadecylphosphonic acid, methylbenzylphosphinic acid, naphthylmethylphosphinic acid, octadecylphosphonic acid, octylphosphonic acid, pentylphosphonic acid, methylphenylphosphinic acid, phenylphosphonic acid, styrene phosphonic acid, dodecyl bis-1,12-phosphonic acid, poly(ethylene glycol) phosphonic acid, including mixtures thereof.

The phosphated epoxy resin may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of pendant groups comprising a phosphorous atom covalently bonded to the resin by a carbon-phosphorous bond or by a phosphoester linkage. As used herein, a phosphated epoxy resin is substantially free of such pendant groups when less than 1 theoretical pendant phosphorous atom-containing groups are present per molecule of the resin. As used herein, the theoretical pendant phosphorous atom-containing group refers to a group that would theoretically be present as a pendant phosphorous atom-containing group in view of the raw materials and method used to make the phosphated epoxy resin. For example, an epoxy-containing polymer having one pendant epoxide functional group that reacts with a phosphorous acid would have one theoretical pendant phosphorous-containing groups because the phosphorous acid would be expected to react with the pendant epoxide functional group. Another example is a phosphorous-containing molecule that is reacted or grafted with a pendant group present on a polymer such as, for example, the reaction of a pendant unsaturated group on the polymer with a phosphorous-containing compound. Such reaction would be expected to result in a pendant phosphorous atom-containing group. As used herein, a phosphated epoxy resin is essentially free of such pendant groups when less than 0.1 theoretical pendant phosphorous atom-containing groups are present per molecule of the resin. As used herein, a phosphated epoxy resin is completely free of such pendant groups when such pendant groups are not theoretically present in the phosphated epoxy resin.

The phosphated epoxy resin may comprise functional groups such as, for example, carbamate, thiol, amino, urea, amide, and carboxylic acid functional groups. Alternatively, the phosphated epoxy resin may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of any of these functional groups. As used herein, the term “substantially free”, “essentially free” or “completely free” with respect to the presence of a functional group means that the functional group is present in an amount of 3% or less, 0.1% or less, or 0.00%, respectively, the percentage based upon the total number of the functional group relative to the total number of carbamate, thiol, amino, urea, amide, and carboxylic acid functional groups present on the resin.

According to the present invention, the phosphated epoxy resin may comprise at least one carbamate functional group. The carbamate may be a pendant group, a terminal group, or, if multiple carbamate groups are present, combinations thereof. An organic linking group may bind the epoxy resin backbone and the carbamate functional group together. A specific non-limiting example of a moiety comprising the carbamate functional group and an organic linking group binding the carbamate functional group to the epoxy resin backbone may have the structure:

wherein R represents the remainder of the phosphated epoxy resin.

The phosphated epoxy resin may further comprise at least one hydroxyl functional group in addition to the carbamate functional group(s). The hydroxyl group may be present as a substituent on the epoxy-functional polymer itself, or the hydroxyl group may be the result of a ring-opening reaction of an epoxide functional group of the epoxy-functional polymer.

In addition to carbamate functional group(s) and/or hydroxyl functional group(s), the phosphated epoxy resin may optionally further comprise additional functional groups, such as, for example, thiol, amino, urea, amide, and carboxylic acid functional groups. Alternatively, the phosphated epoxy resin may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of any or all of these functional groups. As used herein, the term “substantially free”, “essentially free” or “completely free” with respect to the presence of a functional group means that the functional group is present in an amount of 3% or less, 0.1% or less, or 0.00%, respectively, the percentage based upon the total number of the functional group relative to the total number of carbamate, hydroxyl, thiol, amino, urea, amide, and carboxylic acid functional groups present on the resin.

The phosphated epoxy resin may comprise at least one constitutional unit A comprising the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl radical or an aryl radical. For example, R₁ and R₂ each independently may represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or phenyl groups. In addition, the aromatic rings may be substituted.

The phosphated epoxy resin may further comprise at least one constitutional unit B comprising the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl radical or an aryl radical. For example, R₁ and R₂ each independently may represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or phenyl groups. In addition, the aromatic rings may be substituted.

The phosphated epoxy resin may comprise a ratio of constitutional unit A to constitutional unit B from 1:20 to 20:1, such as 1:10 to 10:1, such as 1:5 to 5:1, such as 1:2 to 2:1, such as 1:1.1 to 1.1:1.

The phosphated epoxy resin may comprise the structure:

wherein m is an integer from 1 to 2,000 and n is an integer from 0 to 2,000; R₁ and R₂ each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl radical or an aryl radical; R₃ and R₄ each independently represent hydrogen, hydroxyl, an alkyl radical, an aryl radical, or a phosphoester group. For example, R₁ and R₂ each independently may represent hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, or phenyl groups. In addition, the aromatic rings may be substituted. Although the structure shows a block polymer comprising a carbamate functional block and a hydroxyl functional block, the polymer may comprise random polymer segments and polymerization products as well.

According to the present invention, the phosphated epoxy resin may be dispersed in a dispersing medium comprising water. The phosphated epoxy resin may be, prior to or during dispersion in a dispersing medium comprising water, at least partially neutralized by, for example, treating with a base to form a water-dispersible anionic salt group-containing phosphated epoxy resin. As used herein, the term “water-dispersible” means that a material is adapted to be solubilized, dispersed, and/or emulsified in water. As used herein, the term “anionic salt group-containing phosphated epoxy resin” refers to a phosphated epoxy resin comprising at least partially neutralized anionic functional groups, such as, for example, phosphoric acid groups, that impart a negative charge to the resin. Non-limiting examples of suitable bases include both organic and inorganic bases. Illustrative examples of suitable bases are ammonia, monoalkylamines, dialkylamines, or trialkylamines such as ethylamine, propylamine, dimethylamine, dibutylamine and cyclohexylamine; monoalkanolamine, dialkanolamine or trialkanolamine such as ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, propanolamine, isopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, dimethylethanolamine and diethylethanolamine; morpholines, e.g., N-methylmorpholine or N-ethylmorpholine. The percent of neutralization may be selected such that the resin is made water-dispersible and electrophoretic. One or more of such bases may be added to the phosphated epoxy resin in an amount sufficient to theoretically neutralize the phosphated epoxy resin from, for example, 20 to 200 percent, such as 40 to 150 percent, such as 60 to 120 percent of theoretical neutralization.

The z-average molecular weight (M_(z)) of the phosphated epoxy resin may be at least 20,000 g/mol, such as at least 50,000 g/mol, such as at least 75,000 g/mol, and may be no more than 500,000 g/mol, such as no more than 350,000 g/mol, such as no more than 300,000 g/mol, such as no more than 250,000 g/mol, such as no more than 150,000 g/mol. The molecular weight of the phosphated epoxy resin may be 20,000 g/mol to 500,000 g/mol, 20,000 g/mol to 350,000 g/mol, such as 50,000 g/mol to 300,000 g/mol, such as 75,000 g/mol to 250,000 g/mol, such as 75,000 g/mol to 150,000 g/mol.

The phosphated epoxy resin may be produced by a method comprising reacting an epoxy-functional polymer comprising at least one terminal epoxide functional group and at least one pendant hydroxyl functional group with a molecule comprising an isocyanato functional group and a carbamate functional group, wherein the pendant hydroxyl functional group and isocyanato functional group react to form a urethane linkage, whereby the molecule is incorporated into the epoxy resin to form a carbamate-functional epoxy resin. The molar ratio of the molecule to hydroxyl functional groups of the epoxy-functional polymer may be 1:20 to 20:1, such as 1:10 to 10:1, such as 1:5 to 5:1, such as 1:2 to 2:1, such as 1:1.1 to 1.1:1, such that the resulting carbamate-functional epoxy resin has a carbamate functional group to hydroxyl functional group ratio of 1:20 to 20:1, such as 1:10 to 10:1, such as 1:5 to 5:1, such as 1:2 to 2:1, such as 1:1.1 to 1.1:1. When reacting the epoxy-functional polymer with the molecule comprising an isocyanato functional group and a carbamate functional group, the epoxy-functional polymer may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of pendant or terminal groups comprising a phosphorous atom. The carbamate-functional epoxy resin may be further reacted with phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, phosphinic acid, or combinations thereof, wherein the at least one terminal epoxide functional group of the carbamate-functional epoxy resin reacts with an acid group of the phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, or phosphinic acid whereby the phosphoric acid, the phosphonic acid, and/or phosphinic acid is incorporated into the carbamate-functional epoxy resin through a phosphoester bond to form a phosphated, carbamate-functional epoxy resin. The phosphated, carbamate-functional epoxy resin may optionally be neutralized with a base.

As used herein, the term “terminal” with respect to a functional group of a polymer refers to a functional group that is not pendant to the polymeric backbone of the polymer and forms a terminus of the polymeric chain. As used herein, the term “pendant” with respect to a functional group refers to a functional group of a polymer that is present as a side group to the polymeric backbone and does not form a terminus of the polymeric chain. The term “pendant” may also refer to a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon moiety attached to the larger polymeric backbone. The term “pendant group” may be used to refer to both a pendant functional group or a functional group present in a pendant chain. As used herein, the term “pendant chain” refers to a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon moiety extending from the main polymer backbone. An exemplary structure showing a linear polymer backbone having terminal and pendant groups, and an exemplary structure showing a branched polymer backbone having terminal and pendant groups are produced below. The terminal groups are represented by the letter ‘A’ and the pendant groups are represented by the letter ‘B’, with the polymer backbone represented by a wavy line.

According to the present invention, if present, the phosphated epoxy resin may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in an amount of at least 50% by weight, such as at least 55% by weight, such as at least 60% by weight, and may be present in an amount of no more than 90% by weight, such as no more than 80% by weight, such as no more than 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion. The phosphated epoxy resin may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in an amount 50% to 90%, such as 55% to 80%, such as 60% to 75%, based on the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion, if present.

The present invention is also directed to an aqueous resinous dispersion comprising the addition polymer, described above, and a carbamate-functional oligomer comprising at least two carbamate groups. When the addition polymer comprises at least one carbamate functional group, the carbamate-functional oligomer may optionally be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion. The carbamate-functional oligomer may comprise three or more carbamate functional groups and may comprise the structure:

The carbamate-functional oligomer may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in an amount of at least 10% by weight, such as at least 15% by weight, such as at least 20% by weight, and may be present in an amount of no more than 50% by weight, such as no more than 45% by weight, such as no more than 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion. The carbamate-functional oligomer may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in an amount of 10% to 55% by weight, such as 15% to 50% by weight, such as 20% to 45% by weight, based on the total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion.

According to the present invention, the aqueous resinous dispersions may optionally comprise a catalyst to catalyze the reaction between the curing agent and the addition polymer. As used herein, the term “catalyst” does not include the sulfonic acid or carboxylic acid, if present, present as a functional group of the addition polymer, or the phosphorous acid present on the phosphated epoxy resin, if present. Non-limiting examples of catalysts include latent acid catalysts, specific examples of which are identified in WO 2007/118024 at [0031] and include, but are not limited to, ammonium hexafluoroantimonate, quaternary salts of SbF₆ (e.g., NACURE® XC-7231), t-amine salts of SbF₆(e.g., NACURE® XC-9223), Zn salts of triflic acid (e.g., NACURE® A202 and A218), quaternary salts of triflic acid (e.g., NACURE® XC-A230), and diethylamine salts of triflic acid (e.g., NACURE® A233), all commercially available from King Industries, and/or mixtures thereof. Latent acid catalysts may be formed by preparing a derivative of an acid catalyst such as para-toluenesulfonic acid (pTSA) or other sulfonic acids. For example, a well-known group of blocked acid catalysts are amine salts of aromatic sulfonic acids, such as pyridinium para-toluenesulfonate. Such sulfonate salts are less active than the free acid in promoting crosslinking. During cure, the catalysts may be activated by heating.

Alternatively, the aqueous resinous dispersions may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of separately added catalyst. As used herein, the term “separately added catalyst” refers to the catalysts that are not covalently bonded to the addition polymer (or other resinous materials) as described above, such as the latent acid catalysts described above, and explicitly excludes the phosphorous acid or carboxylic acid present as a functional group of the addition polymer, if present, or the phosphorous acid present on the phosphated epoxy resin, if present. As used herein, the term substantially free, essentially free, and completely free with respect to the amount of separately added catalyst refers to compositions having less than 0.1% by weight, less than 0.01% by weight, or 0.00% by weight, respectively, of catalyst, based upon the total weight of the resin solids.

The aqueous resinous dispersions may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of metal-containing catalyst. As used herein, the term “metal-containing catalyst” refers to metal-containing compounds and salts such as, for example, organotin compounds (e.g., dibutyltin oxide and dioctyltin oxide) and salts thereof (e.g., dibutyltin diacetate) and other metal oxides (e.g., oxides of cerium, zirconium and bismuth) and salts thereof (e.g., bismuth sulfamate and bismuth lactate). As used herein, the term substantially free, essentially free, and completely free with respect to the amount of metal-containing catalyst refers to compositions having less than 0.1% by weight, less than 0.01% by weight, or 0.00% by weight, respectively, of catalyst, based upon the total weight of the resin solids.

According to the present invention, the aqueous resinous dispersions may comprise other optional ingredients, such as a pigment composition and, if desired, various additives such as fillers, plasticizers, anti-oxidants, biocides, auxiliary polymers or oligomers such as acrylics, polyesters, additional epoxy or phosphated epoxy resins (other than the phosphated epoxy resin described above), rheology modifiers, UV light absorbers and stabilizers, hindered amine light stabilizers, defoamers, fungicides, dispersing aids, flow control agents, surfactants, wetting agents, flatting agents to control gloss, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the aqueous resinous dispersion may be completely free of any of the optional ingredients, i.e., the optional ingredient is not present in the aqueous resinous dispersion. If present, the pigment composition may comprise organic or inorganic pigments, such as, for example, iron oxides, lead oxides, strontium chromate, carbon black, coal dust, titanium dioxide, talc, barium sulfate, as well as color pigments such as cadmium yellow, cadmium red, chromium yellow and the like. Further non-limiting examples of pigments include metal flakes or particles, such as those of aluminum or zinc, as well as platy inorganic particles, such as talc or clay. It is understood that the size of any insoluble optional ingredients can be nano or micron when added to the formulation and that the size and shape of the particle may affect the activity and the rheological properties of the formulation. Both nano and micron sized particles are suitable for this invention. The pigment content of the dispersion may be expressed as the pigment-to-resin weight ratio and may be within the range of 0.03:1 to 4.00:1, when pigment is present. The other additives mentioned above each may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in amounts of 0.01% to 3% by weight, based on total weight of the resin solids of the aqueous resinous dispersion.

According to the present invention, the aqueous resinous dispersions may optionally comprise a corrosion inhibitor. As used herein, the term “corrosion inhibitor” refers to any material that may reduce the corrosion rate of a metal substrate such as ferrous substrate or aluminum alloy. The corrosion inhibitor may be soluble or insoluble within the resinous dispersion and may display corrosion inhibiting properties only when the pH of the metal surface is raised or lowered as a result of corrosion. It is understood that the size and shape of insoluble corrosion inhibiting particles may affect the rate at which the active species is released as well as rheological properties. Both nano and micron sized particles are suitable for this invention. Suitable corrosion inhibitors include but are not limited to metal oxides of zinc, manganese, cerium, praseodymium, lanthanum, and yttrium, organosilicon based materials and their oxides, iron phosphate, zinc phosphate, calcium ion-exchanged silica, colloidal silica, synthetic amorphous silica, vanadates and molybdates, such as calcium molybdate, zinc molybdate, barium molybdate, strontium molybdate, and mixtures thereof. Suitable calcium ion-exchanged silica is commercially available from W. R. Grace & Co. as SHIELDEX. AC₃ and/or SHIELDEX. C₃₀₃. Suitable amorphous silica is available from W. R. Grace & Co. as SYLOID. Suitable zinc hydroxyl phosphate is commercially available from Elementis Specialties, Inc. as NALZIN. 2. The aqueous resinous dispersion may also comprise one or more organic corrosion inhibitors. Examples of such inhibitors include but are not limited to sulfur and/or nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds, examples of which include azoles, thiophene, hydrazine and derivatives, pyrrole, disulfides and derivatives thereof. Such organic corrosion inhibitors are described in U.S. Publication No. 2013/0065985, paragraph no. 52, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Specific non-limiting examples of corrosion inhibitors comprising sulfur and/or nitrogen containing heterocyclic compounds include 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, 2,5-dimercaptothiadiazole and their sodium, zinc, and potassium salts, the Cobratec® line of products based on benzotriazole and tolytriazole commercially available from PMC Specialties Group, Inc., Hybricor® 204, 204S, and Inhibicor 1000 commercially available from WPC Technologies. The corrosion inhibitors may be present in the aqueous resinous dispersion in an amount of 0.1 to 60% by weight, such as 5 to 40% by weight, such as 10 to 25% by weight, based on the total resin solids weight of the dispersion. The corrosion inhibitors may remain substantially unreacted after the aqueous resinous dispersion is applied and cured to form a coating. As used herein, the term “substantially unreacted” with respect to the corrosion inhibitor means that at least partially curing the deposited aqueous resinous dispersion, less than 75% of the total corrosion inhibitor by weight, based on the total weight of the corrosion inhibitor, has been bound to a resin, curing agent or pigment within the coating film via covalent bonds.

Alternatively, the aqueous resinous dispersions may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of any of the optional ingredients discussed above. As used herein, the term substantially free, essentially free, and completely free with respect to the amount of optional ingredient refers to compositions having less than 0.1% by weight, less than 0.01% by weight, or 0.00% by weight, respectively, of the optional ingredient, based upon the total weight of the resin solids.

According to the present invention, the total solids content of the aqueous resinous dispersions may be at least 1% by weight, such as at least 5% by weight, and may be no more than 50% by weight, such as no more than 40% by weight, such as no more than 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous resinous dispersion. The total solids content of the aqueous resinous dispersion may be from 1% to 50% by weight, such as 5% to 40% by weight, such as 5% to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous resinous dispersion. As used herein, “total solids” refers to the non-volatile content of the aqueous resinous dispersion, i.e., materials which will not volatilize when heated to 110° C. for 60 minutes.

The present invention is also directed to electrodepositable coating compositions comprising the addition polymer described above. The electrodepositable coating composition may comprise the aqueous resinous dispersions comprising the addition polymer described above as the aqueous resinous dispersion itself may be an electrodepositable coating composition. For example, the electrodepositable coating composition may comprise an aqueous resinous dispersion comprising the addition polymer, the curing agent, and optionally the carbamate-functional oligomer and/or phosphated epoxy resin, as described above.

As used herein, the term “electrodepositable coating composition” refers to a composition that is capable of being deposited onto an electrically conductive substrate under the influence of an applied electrical potential.

The present invention is also directed to a method of coating a substrate, comprising electrophoretically depositing a coating formed from the aqueous resinous dispersions described above onto the substrate. According to the present invention such method may comprise electrophoretically applying a coating formed from the aqueous resinous dispersion as described above to at least a portion of the substrate and curing the coating composition to form an at least partially cured coating on the substrate. According to the present invention, the method may comprise (a) electrophoretically depositing onto at least a portion of the substrate a coating from the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention and (b) heating the coated substrate to a temperature and for a time sufficient to cure the electrodeposited coating on the substrate. According to the present invention, the method may optionally further comprise (c) applying directly to the at least partially cured electrodeposited coating one or more pigment-containing coating compositions and/or one or more pigment-free coating compositions to form an additional coating layer over at least a portion of the at least partially cured electrodeposited coating. The method may further comprise (d) curing the additional coating layer by allowing it to set at ambient temperature or by applying a sufficient energy from an external energy source to the coated substrate of step (c) to a condition and for a time sufficient to at least partially cure the additional coating layer. Non-limiting examples of external energy sources include thermal energy and radiation such as ultraviolet, infrared or microwave.

According to the present invention, a coating formed from the aqueous resinous dispersions of the present invention may be deposited upon an electrically conductive substrate by placing the composition in contact with an electrically conductive cathode and an electrically conductive anode, with the surface to be coated being the anode. Following contact with the aqueous resinous dispersion, an adherent film of the coating composition is deposited on the anode when a sufficient voltage is impressed between the electrodes. The conditions under which the electrodeposition is carried out are, in general, similar to those used in electrodeposition of other types of coatings. The applied voltage may be varied and can be, for example, as low as one volt to as high as several thousand volts, such as between 50 and 500 volts. The current density may be between 0.1 ampere and 15 amperes per square foot and tends to decrease during electrodeposition indicating the formation of an insulating film.

Once a coating formed from the aqueous resinous dispersion is electrodeposited over at least a portion of the electroconductive substrate, the coated substrate may be heated to a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially cure the electrodeposited coating on the substrate. As used herein, the term “at least partially cured” with respect to a coating refers to a coating formed by subjecting the coating composition to curing conditions such that a chemical reaction of at least a portion of the reactive groups of the components of the coating composition occurs to form a thermoset or crosslinked coating. The coated substrate may, for example, be heated to a temperature ranging from 160° F. to 450° F. (71.1° C. to 232.2° C.), such as from 200° F. to 300° F. (93.3° C. to 148.9° C.), such as from 200° F. to 250° F. (93.3° C. to 121.1° C.). The curing time may be dependent upon the curing temperature as well as other variables, for example, film thickness of the electrodeposited coating, level and type of catalyst present in the composition and the like. For purposes of the present invention, all that is necessary is that the time be sufficient to effect cure of the coating on the substrate, such as determined by the Double Acetone Rub Test Method described herein. For example, the curing time may range from 10 to 60 minutes, such as 20 to 40 minutes. The thickness of the resultant cured electrodeposited coating may range from 1 to 50 microns, such as 15 to 50 microns.

According to the present invention, the coating deposited from the resinous dispersion describe above may cure at a bake temperature of 250° F. in 60 minutes or less, as measured by the Double Acetone Rub Test Method.

As used herein, the “Double Acetone Rub Test Method” refers to rubbing the baked panels with an acetone soaked WYPALL X80 disposable paper wipe manufactured by Kimberly-Clark. The number of double acetone rub(s) (one rub forward and rub backward constitutes a double rub) are counted until the coating is removed and the metal substrate is exposed, or until a predetermined number of rubs is reached without exposing the underlying substrate surface. A coating may be considered to be cured if it survives at least 25 double acetone rubs without reaching the substrate; such as at least 50 double acetone rubs without reaching the substrate; such as at least 75 double acetone rubs without reaching the substrate; such as at least 100 double acetone rubs without reaching the substrate.

The coating formed from the aqueous resinous dispersion may be electrophoretically deposited upon any electrically conductive substrate. Suitable substrates include metal substrates, metal alloy substrates, and/or substrates that have been metallized, such as nickel-plated plastic. Additionally, substrates may comprise non-metal conductive materials including composite materials such as, for example, materials comprising carbon fibers or conductive carbon. According to the present invention, the metal or metal alloy may comprise, for example, cold rolled steel, hot rolled steel, steel coated with zinc metal, zinc compounds, or zinc alloys, such as electrogalvanized steel, hot-dipped galvanized steel, galvanealed steel, nickel-plated steel, and steel plated with zinc alloy. The substrate may comprise an aluminum alloy. Non-limiting examples of aluminum alloys include the 1XXX, 2XXX, 3XXX, 4XXX, SXXX, 6XXX, or 7XXX series as well as clad aluminum alloys and cast aluminum alloys, such as, for example, the A356 series. The substrate may comprise a magnesium alloy. Non-limiting examples of magnesium alloys of the AZ31B, AZ91C, AM60B, or EV31A series also may be used as the substrate. The substrate used in the present invention may also comprise other suitable non-ferrous metals such as titanium or copper, as well as alloys of these materials. Suitable metal substrates for use in the present invention include those that are often used in the assembly of vehicular bodies (e.g., without limitation, door, body panel, trunk deck lid, roof panel, hood, roof and/or stringers, rivets, landing gear components, and/or skins used on an aircraft), a vehicular frame, vehicular parts, motorcycles, wheels, industrial structures and components such as appliances, including washers, dryers, refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, and the like, agricultural equipment, lawn and garden equipment, air conditioning units, heat pump units, lawn furniture, and other articles. The substrate may comprise a vehicle or a portion or part thereof. The term “vehicle” is used in its broadest sense and includes all types of aircraft, spacecraft, watercraft, and ground vehicles. For example, a vehicle may be an aerospace vehicle including aircraft such as airplanes including private aircraft, and small, medium, or large commercial passenger, freight, and military aircraft; helicopters, including private, commercial, and military helicopters; or rockets and other spacecraft. A vehicle can include a ground vehicle such as, for example, trailers, cars, trucks, buses, vans, construction vehicles, golf carts, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, and railroad cars. A vehicle can also include watercraft such as, for example, ships, boats, and hovercraft. The aqueous resinous dispersion may be utilized to coat surfaces and parts thereof. A part may include multiple surfaces. A part may include a portion of a larger part, assembly, or apparatus. A portion of a part may be coated with the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention or the entire part may be coated.

The metal substrate may be in the shape of a cylinder, such as a pipe, including, for example, a cast iron pipe. The metal substrate also may be in the form of, for example, a sheet of metal or a fabricated part. The substrate may also comprise conductive or non-conductive substrates at least partially coated with a conductive coating. The conductive coating may comprise a conductive agent such as, for example, graphene, conductive carbon black, conductive polymers, or conductive additives. It will also be understood that the substrate may be pretreated with a pretreatment solution. Non-limiting examples of a pretreatment solution include a zinc phosphate pretreatment solution such as, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,793,867 and 5,588,989, a zirconium containing pretreatment solution such as, for example, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,749,368 and 8,673,091. Other non-limiting examples of a pretreatment solution include those comprising trivalent chromium, hexavalent chromium, lithium salts, permanganate, rare earth metals, such as yttrium, or lanthanides, such as cerium. Another non-limiting example of a suitable surface pretreatment solution is a solgel, such as those comprising alkoxy-silanes, alkoxy-zirconates, and/or alkoxy-titanates. Alternatively, the substrate may be a non-pretreated substrate, such as a bare substrate, that is not pretreated by a pretreatment solution.

The substrate may optionally be subjected to other treatments prior to coating. For example, the substrate may be cleaned, cleaned and deoxidized, anodized, acid pickled, plasma treated, laser treated, or ion vapor deposition (IVD) treated. These optional treatments may be used on their own or in combination with a pretreatment solution. The substrate may be new (i.e., newly constructed or fabricated) or it may be refurbished, such as, for example, in the case of refinishing or repairing a component of an automobile or aircraft.

As mentioned above, the substrate coated by the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention may comprise a vehicle. For example, the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention may be utilized in coating a F/A-18 jet or related aircraft such as the F/A-18E Super Hornet and F/A-18F (produced by McDonnell Douglas/Boeing and Northrop); in coating the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, 737, 747, 717 passenger jet aircraft, and related aircraft (produced by Boeing Commercial Airplanes); in coating the V-22 Osprey; VH-92, S-92, and related aircraft (produced by NAVAIR and Sikorsky); in coating the G650, G600, G550, G500, G450, and related aircraft (produced by Gulfstream); and in coating the A350, A320, A330, and related aircraft (produced by Airbus). The aqueous resinous dispersion may be used as a coating for use in any suitable commercial, military, or general aviation aircraft such as, for example, those produced by Bombardier Inc. and/or Bombardier Aerospace such as the Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) and related aircraft; produced by Lockheed Martin such as the F-22 Raptor, the F-35 Lightning, and related aircraft; produced by Northrop Grumman such as the B-2 Spirit and related aircraft; produced by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd.; produced by Eclipse Aviation Corporation; or produced by Eclipse Aerospace (Kestrel Aircraft).

The aqueous resinous dispersion may also be used to coat surfaces of vehicles. Non-limiting examples thereof include fuel tank surfaces and other surfaces exposed to or potentially exposed to aerospace solvents, aerospace hydraulic fluids, and aerospace fuels.

The aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention may be utilized in an electrocoating layer that is part of a multi-layer coating composite comprising a substrate with various coating layers. The coating layers may optionally include a pretreatment layer, such as a phosphate layer (e.g., zinc phosphate layer) or metal oxide layer (e.g., zirconium oxide layer), an electrocoating layer which results from the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention, optionally one or more primer layer(s) and suitable topcoat layer(s) (e.g., base coat, clear coat layer, pigmented monocoat, and color-plus-clear composite compositions). It is understood that suitable additional coating layers include any of those known in the art, and each independently may be waterborne, solventborne, in solid particulate form (i.e., a powder coating composition), or in the form of a powder slurry. The additional coating compositions may comprise a film-forming polymer, crosslinking material and, if a colored base coat or monocoat, one or more pigments. The primer layer(s) may optionally be disposed between the electrocoating layer and the topcoat layer(s). Alternatively, the topcoat layer(s) may be omitted such that the composite comprises the electrocoating layer and one or more primer layer(s).

Moreover, the topcoat layer(s) may be applied directly onto the electrodepositable coating layer. In other words, the substrate may lack a primer layer such that the composite comprises the electrocoating layer and one or more topcoat layer(s). For example, a basecoat layer may be applied directly onto at least a portion of the electrodepositable coating layer.

It will also be understood that any of the topcoat layers may be applied onto an underlying layer despite the fact that the underlying layer has not been fully cured. For example, a clearcoat layer may be applied onto a basecoat layer even though the basecoat layer has not been subjected to a curing step (wet-on-wet). Both layers may then be cured during a subsequent curing step thereby eliminating the need to cure the basecoat layer and the clearcoat layer separately.

According to the present invention, additional ingredients such as colorants and fillers may be present in the various coating compositions from which the topcoat layers result. Any suitable colorants and fillers may be used. For example, the colorant may be added to the coating in any suitable form, such as discrete particles, dispersions, solutions and/or flakes. A single colorant or a mixture of two or more colorants can be used in the coatings of the present invention. It should be noted that, in general, the colorant can be present in a layer of the multi-layer composite in any amount sufficient to impart the desired property, visual and/or color effect.

Example colorants include pigments, dyes and tints, such as those used in the paint industry and/or listed in the Dry Color Manufacturers Association (DCMA), as well as special effect compositions. A colorant may include, for example, a finely divided solid powder that is insoluble but wettable under the conditions of use. A colorant may be organic or inorganic and may be agglomerated or non-agglomerated. Colorants may be incorporated into the coatings by grinding or simple mixing. Colorants may be incorporated by grinding into the coating by use of a grind vehicle, such as an acrylic grind vehicle, the use of which will be familiar to one skilled in the art.

Example pigments and/or pigment compositions include, but are not limited to, carbazole dioxazine crude pigment, azo, monoazo, disazo, naphthol AS, salt type (lakes), benzimidazolone, condensation, metal complex, isoindolinone, isoindoline and polycyclic phthalocyanine, quinacridone, perylene, perinone, diketopyrrolo pyrrole, thioindigo, anthraquinone, indanthrone, anthrapyrimidine, flavanthrone, pyranthrone, anthanthrone, dioxazine, triarylcarbonium, quinophthalone pigments, diketo pyrrolo pyrrole red (“DPP red BO”), titanium dioxide, carbon black, zinc oxide, antimony oxide, etc. and organic or inorganic UV opacifying pigments such as iron oxide, transparent red or yellow iron oxide, phthalocyanine blue and mixtures thereof. The terms “pigment” and “colored filler” can be used interchangeably.

Example dyes include, but are not limited to, those that are solvent and/or aqueous based such as acid dyes, azoic dyes, basic dyes, direct dyes, disperse dyes, reactive dyes, solvent dyes, sulfur dyes, mordant dyes, for example, bismuth vanadate, anthraquinone, perylene, aluminum, quinacridone, thiazole, thiazine, azo, indigoid, nitro, nitroso, oxazine, phthalocyanine, quinoline, stilbene, and triphenyl methane.

Example tints include, but are not limited to, pigments dispersed in water-based or water miscible carriers such as AQUA-CHEM 896 commercially available from Degussa, Inc., CHARISMA COLORANTS and MAXITONER INDUSTRIAL COLORANTS commercially available from Accurate Dispersions division of Eastman Chemical, Inc.

The colorant may be in the form of a dispersion including, but not limited to, a nanoparticle dispersion. Nanoparticle dispersions can include one or more highly dispersed nanoparticle colorants and/or colorant particles that produce a desired visible color and/or opacity and/or visual effect. Nanoparticle dispersions may include colorants such as pigments or dyes having a particle size of less than 150 nm, such as less than 70 nm, or less than 30 nm. Nanoparticles may be produced by milling stock organic or inorganic pigments with grinding media having a particle size of less than 0.5 mm. Example nanoparticle dispersions and methods for making them are identified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,875,800 B2, which is incorporated herein by reference. Nanoparticle dispersions may also be produced by crystallization, precipitation, gas phase condensation, and chemical attrition (i.e., partial dissolution). In order to minimize re-agglomeration of nanoparticles within the coating, a dispersion of resin-coated nanoparticles may be used. As used herein, a “dispersion of resin-coated nanoparticles” refers to a continuous phase in which is dispersed discreet “composite microparticles” that comprise a nanoparticle and a resin coating on the nanoparticle. Example dispersions of resin-coated nanoparticles and methods for making them are identified in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/876,031 filed Jun. 24, 2004, which is incorporated herein by reference, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/482,167 filed Jun. 24, 2003, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

According to the present invention, special effect compositions that may be used in one or more layers of the multi-layer coating composite include pigments and/or compositions that produce one or more appearance effects such as reflectance, pearlescence, metallic sheen, phosphorescence, fluorescence, photochromism, photosensitivity, thermochromism, mechanochromism (strain sensitive pigmentation), goniochromism and/or color-change. Additional special effect compositions may provide other perceptible properties, such as reflectivity, opacity or texture. For example, special effect compositions may produce a color shift, such that the color of the coating changes when the coating is viewed at different angles. Example color effect compositions are identified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,894,086, incorporated herein by reference. Additional color effect compositions may include transparent coated mica and/or synthetic mica, coated silica, coated alumina, a transparent liquid crystal pigment, a liquid crystal coating, and/or any composition wherein interference results from a refractive index differential within the material and not because of the refractive index differential between the surface of the material and the air.

According to the present invention, a photosensitive composition and/or photochromic composition, which reversibly alters its color when exposed to one or more light sources, can be used in a number of layers in the multi-layer composite. Photochromic and/or photosensitive compositions can be activated by exposure to radiation of a specified wavelength. When the composition becomes excited, the molecular structure is changed and the altered structure exhibits a new color that is different from the original color of the composition. When the exposure to radiation is removed, the photochromic and/or photosensitive composition can return to a state of rest, in which the original color of the composition returns. For example, the photochromic and/or photosensitive composition may be colorless in a non-excited state and exhibit a color in an excited state. Full color-change may appear within milliseconds to several minutes, such as from 20 seconds to 60 seconds. Example photochromic and/or photosensitive compositions include photochromic dyes.

The photosensitive composition and/or photochromic composition may be associated with and/or at least partially bound to, such as by covalent bonding, a polymer and/or polymeric materials of a polymerizable component. In contrast to some coatings in which the photosensitive composition may migrate out of the coating and crystallize into the substrate, the photosensitive composition and/or photochromic composition associated with and/or at least partially bound to a polymer and/or polymerizable component in accordance with the present invention, have minimal migration out of the coating. Example photosensitive compositions and/or photochromic compositions and methods for making them are identified in U.S. application Ser. No. 10/892,919 filed Jul. 16, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference.

The primer and/or topcoat layer(s) may optionally further comprise corrosion inhibitors. The corrosion inhibitors may comprise any of the corrosion inhibitors discussed above with respect to the aqueous resinous dispersion, and may further comprise magnesium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, lithium salts, and/or lithium silicates.

According to the present invention, the aqueous resinous dispersion and/or layers deposited from the same, as well as any pretreatment layer, primer layer or topcoat layer, may be substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of chromium or chromium-containing compounds. As used herein, the term “chromium-containing compound” refers to materials that include trivalent chromium or hexavalent chromium. Non-limiting examples of such materials include chromic acid, chromium trioxide, chromic acid anhydride, dichromate salts, such as ammonium dichromate, sodium dichromate, potassium dichromate, and calcium, barium, magnesium, zinc, cadmium, and strontium dichromate. When the aqueous resinous dispersion and/or layers deposited from the same, as well as any pretreatment layer, primer layer or topcoat layer, is substantially free, essentially free, or completely free of chromium, this includes chromium in any form, such as, but not limited to, the trivalent chromium-containing compounds and hexavalent chromium-containing compounds listed above.

An aqueous resinous dispersion and/or layers deposited from the same, as well as any pretreatment layer, primer layer or topcoat layer, that is substantially free of chromium or chromium-containing compounds means that chromium or chromium-containing compounds are not intentionally added, but may be present in trace amounts, such as because of impurities or unavoidable contamination from the environment. In other words, the amount of material is so small that it does not affect the properties of the composition; this may further include that chromium or chromium-containing compounds are not present in the aqueous resinous dispersion and/or layers deposited from the same, as well as any pretreatment layer, primer layer or topcoat layer, in such a level that they cause a burden on the environment. The term “substantially free” means that the aqueous resinous dispersion and/or layers deposited from the same, as well as any pretreatment layer, primer layer or topcoat layer, contain less than 10 ppm of chromium, based on total solids weight of the composition, the layer, or the layers, respectively, if any at all. The term “essentially free” means that the aqueous resinous dispersion and/or layers deposited from the same, as well as any pretreatment layer, primer layer or topcoat layer, contain less than 1 ppm of chromium, based on total solids weight of the composition or the layer, or layers, respectively, if any at all. The term “completely free” means that the aqueous resinous dispersion and/or layers comprising the same, as well as any pretreatment layer, primer layer or topcoat layer, contain less than 1 ppb of chromium, based on total solids weight of the composition, the layer, or the layers, respectively, if any at all.

According to the present invention, the coating deposited from the aqueous resinous dispersion describe above may be hydrolytically stable, as determined by the Hydrolytic Stability Test Method. As used herein, the “Hydrolytic Stability Test Method” refers to immersing a baked panel in deionized water at a temperature of 90° C. for 24 hours. The panel is then removed and baked in an oven set to 150° F. for 60 minutes to dehydrate the coating film. The panel is then retested for cure according to the Double Acetone Rub Test Method. Whether a coating is considered to be hydrolytically stable is demonstrated by the ability of the coating to retain acetone resistance after being subjected to the water soak compared to the acetone resistance of the coating without the water soak. Specifically, the number of double acetone rubs that the coating survived following the water soak is compared to the number of double acetone rubs the coating survived without exposure to the water soak. A coating is considered to be “hydrolytically stable” if the coating survived a number of double acetone rubs following exposure to the water soak without reaching the underlying substrate equal to at least 60% of the double acetone rubs that the coating was able to survive without exposure to the water soak, with the caveat that if the cured coating survived 100 or more double acetone rubs without exposure to the water soak, then the cured coating was considered to be hydrolytically stable if the coating survived at least 60 double acetone rubs without reaching the substrate. For example, a coating that survived 50 double acetone rubs without exposure to the water soak was considered to be hydrolytically stable if it survived at least 30 double acetone rubs following exposure to the water soak. Although reference is made to the coating prior to exposure to the water soak and after exposure to the water soak, it should be understood that two different coated panels are used with each panel having been coated by the same composition by the same technique and cured under the same conditions (i.e., same oven, oven temperature and baking time).

It has been surprisingly discovered that use of the aqueous resinous dispersions comprising the addition polymer of the present invention as an electrodepositable coating composition results in a cured coating that is hydrolytically stable. Without intending to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the carbamate functional group of the addition polymer forms bonds with curing agents that are not substantially susceptible to hydrolytic attack.

The present invention is also directed towards a coated substrate, wherein the coated substrate is at least partially coated with a coating deposited from the aqueous resinous dispersion described above. The present invention includes parts coated with an aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention, and assemblies and apparatus comprising a part coated with an aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention.

The present invention includes vehicles comprising a part such as a surface coated with the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention. For example, an aircraft comprising a fuel tank or portion of a fuel tank coated with the aqueous resinous dispersion of the present invention is included within the scope of the invention. The coating may be in an at least partially cured or fully cured state.

As used herein, the “resin solids” include the addition polymer, the curing agent, the carbamate-functional oligomer (if present), the phosphated epoxy resin (if present), and any additional water-dispersible non-pigmented component(s) present in the composition.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” refers to a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chain that may be linear or branched and may comprise one or more hydrocarbon rings that are not aromatic. As used herein, “aryl” refers to a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon having a delocalized conjugated π-system with alternating double and single bonds between carbon atoms forming one or more coplanar hydrocarbon rings.

For purposes of the detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers such as those expressing values, amounts, percentages, ranges, subranges and fractions may be read as if prefaced by the word “about,” even if the term does not expressly appear. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Where a closed or open-ended numerical range is described herein, all numbers, values, amounts, percentages, subranges and fractions within or encompassed by the numerical range are to be considered as being specifically included in and belonging to the original disclosure of this application as if these numbers, values, amounts, percentages, subranges and fractions had been explicitly written out in their entirety.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard variation found in their respective testing measurements.

As used herein, unless indicated otherwise, a plural term can encompass its singular counterpart and vice versa, unless indicated otherwise. For example, although reference is made herein to “an” addition polymer, “a” carbamate functional group, and “a” curing agent, a combination (i.e., a plurality) of these components can be used. In addition, in this application, the use of “or” means “and/or” unless specifically stated otherwise, even though “and/or” may be explicitly used in certain instances.

As used herein, “including,” “containing” and like terms are understood in the context of this application to be synonymous with “comprising” and are therefore open-ended and do not exclude the presence of additional undescribed or unrecited elements, materials, ingredients or method steps. As used herein, “consisting of” is understood in the context of this application to exclude the presence of any unspecified element, ingredient or method step. As used herein, “consisting essentially of” is understood in the context of this application to include the specified elements, materials, ingredients or method steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of what is being described.

As used herein, the terms “on,” “onto,” “applied on,” “applied onto,” “formed on,” “deposited on,” “deposited onto,” mean formed, overlaid, deposited, or provided on but not necessarily in contact with the surface. For example, an electrodepositable coating composition “deposited onto” a substrate does not preclude the presence of one or more other intervening coating layers of the same or different composition located between the electrodepositable coating composition and the substrate.

Whereas specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.

ASPECTS

In view of the foregoing, the present invention relates inter alia, without being limited thereto, to the following aspects:

Aspect 1. An addition polymer comprising:

-   -   an addition polymer backbone;     -   at least one moiety comprising a sulfonic acid group; and     -   at least one carbamate functional group.         Aspect 2. The addition polymer according to preceding Aspect 1,         wherein the addition polymer comprises constitutional units         comprising the residue of a carbamate functional, ethylenically         unsaturated monomer, wherein the carbamate functional,         ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprises the structure:

Aspect 3. The addition polymer according to any one of preceding Aspects 1 or 2, wherein the addition polymer comprises constitutional units comprising the residue of a sulfonic acid functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein the sulfonic acid functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprises the structure:

Aspect 4. The addition polymer according to any one of the preceding Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the moiety comprising at least one sulfonic acid group comprises the structure:

wherein R_(L) comprises an organic linking group or is not present. Aspect 5. The addition polymer according to Aspect 4, wherein R_(L) is free of carboxylic acid groups. Aspect 6. The addition polymer according to any one of the preceding Aspects 1 to 5, wherein the moiety comprising at least one sulfonic acid group comprises the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ each independently comprise hydrogen, an alkyl radical, or an aryl radical. Aspect 7. The addition polymer according to any one of the preceding Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one moiety comprising the carbamate functional group, the moiety having the structure:

wherein R₃ comprises an organic linking group or is not present, and R₄ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group. Aspect 8. The addition polymer according to any one of the preceding Aspects 1 to 7, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one moiety comprising the carbamate functional group, the moiety having the structure:

wherein R₅ comprises a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group comprising an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or a combination thereof, and R₄ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group. Aspect 9. The addition polymer according to any one of the preceding Aspects 1 to 8, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one moiety comprising the carbamate functional group, the moiety having the structure:

wherein R₆ and R₇ each independently comprise a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group comprising an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or a combination thereof. Aspect 10. The addition polymer according to any one of the preceding Aspects 1 to 9, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one moiety comprising the carbamate functional group, the moiety having the structure:

wherein R₈ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group. Aspect 11. The addition polymer according to any one of the preceding Aspects 1 to 10, wherein the addition polymer is substantially free of carboxylic acid functionality or wherein the addition polymer further comprises carboxylic acid groups. Aspect 12. The addition polymer according to any one of the preceding Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the addition polymer has a z-average molecular weight of 20,000 g/mol to 500,000 g/mol as determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using polystyrene calibration standards. Aspect 13. An aqueous resinous dispersion comprising:

-   -   (a) an addition polymer according to any one of preceding         Aspects 1 to 12; and     -   (b) a curing agent.         Aspect 14. The aqueous resinous dispersion according to         preceding Aspect 13, wherein the curing agent comprises an         aminoplast resin, a phenoplast resin, a blocked polyisocyanate,         or a combination of any of the foregoing.         Aspect 15. The aqueous resinous dispersion according to any one         of preceding Aspects 13 or 14, wherein the composition is         further substantially free of separately added acid catalysts         and/or of metal-containing catalysts.         Aspect 16. A method of coating a substrate comprising         electrophoretically depositing a coating from the aqueous         resinous dispersion according to any one of preceding Aspects 13         to 15 onto the substrate.         Aspect 17. The method according to preceding Aspect 16 further         comprising heating the coated substrate to a temperature and for         a time sufficient to at least partially cure the         electrodeposited coating on the substrate.         Aspect 18. The method according to preceding Aspect 17, wherein         the coating deposited from the aqueous resinous dispersion of         claim 6 cures at a bake temperature of 250° F. in 60 minutes or         less, as measured by surviving at least 25 double acetone rubs         according to Double Acetone Rub Test Method.         Aspect 19. The method according to any one of preceding Aspects         17 or 18, wherein the coating deposited from the aqueous         resinous dispersion of claim 6 is hydrolytically stable, as         determined by the Hydrolytic Stability Test Method.         Aspect 20. The method according to any one of the preceding         Aspects 16 to 19, wherein the method further comprises (c)         applying to the at least partially cured electrodeposited         coating one or more pigment-containing coating compositions         and/or one or more pigment-free coating compositions to form an         additional coating layer over at least a portion of the at least         partially cured electrodeposited coating, and (d) curing the         additional coating layer by allowing it to set at ambient         temperature or by applying a sufficient energy from an external         energy source to the coated substrate of step (c) to a condition         and for a time sufficient to at least partially cure the         additional coating layer.         Aspect 21. A substrate coated at least partially with a coating         formed from the aqueous resinous dispersion according to any one         of Aspects 13 to 15, for example using the method according to         any one of Aspects 16 to 20.         Aspect 22. The coated substrate according to Aspect 21 being a         part of a vehicle.         Aspect 23. A vehicle comprising the part according to Aspect 22         or being at least partially coated with a coating formed from         the aqueous resinous dispersion according to any one of Aspects         13 to 15, for example using the method according to any one of         Aspects 16 to 20.         Aspect 24. The vehicle according to Aspect 23, wherein the         vehicle comprises an aerospace vehicle.

Illustrating the invention are the following examples, which, however, are not to be considered as limiting the invention to their details. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts and percentages in the following examples, as well as throughout the specification, are by weight.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of a Carbamate Functional, Ethylenically Unsaturated Monomer

A carbamate functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer was prepared as follows:

TABLE 1 Charge Material Amount (g) 1 CARBALINK HPC¹ (95%) 255.8 2 2,6-Di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol 0.5 3 Dibutyltindilaurate 1.0 4 Karenz AOI² 282.2 ¹Hydroxypropyl carbamate commercially available from Huntsman Corp. ²2-Isocyanatoethyl acrylate, available commercially from Karenz.

Charges 1-3 were added to a flask set up for total reflux with stirring under ambient air conditions. The mixture was heated to a temperature of 60° C. Charge 4 was added dropwise through an addition funnel while the resulting exotherm was maintained under 70° C. The mixture was held for 5 hours at 60° C. After holding, the mixture revealed no residual isocyanate peak by IR (2200-2300 cm⁻¹). The mixture was cooled to 30° C. and poured out. Final solids were 96.4%.

A reaction scheme for production of this monomer is as follows:

Example 2 Preparation of an Addition Polymer Including Sulfonic Acid and Carbamate Functional Groups and an Aqueous Dispersion of said Addition Polymer and a Curing Agent

An addition polymer including sulfonic acid and carbamate functional groups was prepared as follows:

TABLE 2 Charge Material Amount (g) 1 Butanol 55.4 2 Methacrylic acid 25.3 3 Styrene 50.0 4 Butyl acrylate 110.8 5 Carbamate Functional, Ethylenically Unsaturated 174.5 Monomer Mixture from Example 1 6 t-dodecylmercaptan 10.4 7 Butanol 26.7 8 t-butylperbenzoate 3.8 9 Butanol 30.6 10 2-Acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) 6.5 11 Diisopropanolamine 4.4 12 Butanol 6.0 13 t-butylperbenzoate 0.9 14 Deionized water 23.3 15 Diisopropanolamine 30.4 16 Deionized water 2.5 17 Cymel 1130¹ 127.5 18 Deionized water 365.4

¹ A methylated/n-butylated melamine-formaldehyde curing agent available from Allnex.

Charge 1 was added to a flask set up for total reflux with stirring under nitrogen and heated to 115° C. Charges 2-11 (with charges 9-11 premixed) were slowly added via addition funnel over 180 minutes and the reaction mixture was then held at 115° C. for an additional 30 minutes. Charges 12-13 were then added dropwise in 2 portions over separate 60-minute intervals. The reaction mixture was then held for an additional 60 minutes at 115° C. Then 113 g of butanol were distilled off from the reaction mixture under vacuum. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 105° C., charge 14 was added slowly, and then the reaction mixture was cooled to 95° C. Charges 15-16 were then added and the reaction mixture held for 30 minutes. Charge 17 was added and the reaction mixture was held for an additional 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was then reverse thinned into charge 18, which was at ambient temperature, and held for 30 minutes. Charge 19 was then added and the reaction mixture was held for 30 minutes. Finally, charge 20 was added and the reaction mixture was held for 30 minutes. Final solids were 30.0%. Final molecular weight as determined by GPC (Mz) was 222,587 g/mol.

Example 3 Preparation of a Pigmented Aqueous Resinous Dispersion of the Aqueous Resinous Dispersion of Example 2 and Electrodeposition Thereof

A pigmented aqueous resinous dispersion of the dispersion of the addition polymer including sulfonic acid and carbamate functional groups and a curing agent from Example 2 was prepared as follows:

TABLE 3 Charge Material Amount (g) 1 Dispersion of Addition Polymer of Example 2 1319.0 2 ACPP2220¹ 215.6 3 Deionized water 991.6 ¹Commercially available electrocoat pigment paste available through PPG Industries, Inc.

Charge 1 was added to a 1-gallon plastic bucket and agitation was started. Charge 2 was added slowly over 5 minutes. Finally, charge 3 was added over 5 minutes and the resulting mixture stirred for an additional 15 minutes.

After ultrafiltration, the paint was electrodeposited (applied at a voltage of 160V for 90 s duration with a bath temperature of 75° F.) onto a 2024 T3 aluminum substrate and baked in an oven set to a temperature of 250° F. for 60 minutes. Cure testing by the Double Acetone Rub Test Method revealed that the film was fully cured (100 DAR). The film also passed crosshatch adhesion testing performed according to ISO 2409.

The film was then immersed in water at a temperature of 90° C. for 24 hours. It was then removed and baked in an oven set to 150° F. for 60 minutes to dehydrate the film. Upon retesting for cure Double Acetone Rub Test Method, the film was still fully cured (100 DAR).

Comparative Example 4 Preparation of Comparative Addition Polymer Having Carboxylic Acid and Hydroxyl Functional Groups and an Aqueous Dispersion of the Comparative Addition Polymer and a Curing Agent

A comparative addition polymer having carboxylic acid and hydroxyl functional groups, without sulfonic acid or carbamate functional groups, and aqueous dispersion of the same with a curing agent was prepared as follows:

TABLE 4 Charge Material Amount (g) 1 DOWANOL PM¹ 217.4 2 Butyl CELLOSOLVE² 133.7 3 Methyl methacrylate 552.8 4 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate 106.4 5 Hydroxyethyl acrylate 138.2 6 Butyl acrylate 53.1 7 Styrene 127.5 8 Acrylic acid 85.1 9 tert.Butylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate 12.8 10 Butyl CELLOSOLVE 28.8 11 Isopropanol 31.1 12 tert.Butylperoxy-2-ethylhexanoate 3.8 13 Isopropanol 259.7 14 Cymel 1130 739.4 15 CoatOSil 7602³ 9.2 16 Butanol 101.7 17 Dimethylethanol amine 28.8 18 Triethylamine 33.0 19 Deionized water 65.7 20 Deionized water 654.3 21 Deionized water 1042.7 ¹Propylene glycol methyl ether commercially available from Dow Chemical Co. ²Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether commercially available from Dow Chemical Co. ³CoatOSil 7602 is a silicone copolymer commercially available from Momentive.

Charges 1 and 2 were added to a flask set up for total reflux with stirring under nitrogen and heated to 100° C. Charges 3-11 were slowly added via addition funnel over 180 minutes and the reaction mixture was then held at 100° C. for an additional 30 minutes. Charges 12-13 were then added dropwise in 3 portions over separate 60-minute intervals. The reaction mixture was then held at 100° C. for 60 minutes. Charges 14-16 were then added and the reaction mixture held at 100° C. for 15 minutes. The product was cooled to 90° C. and charges 17-19 were added and the reaction mixture held for an additional 15 minutes. The resulting mixture was then reverse thinned into charge 20, which was at ambient temperature, and the resulting mixture was held for 30 minutes. Finally, charge 21 was added and the mixture was held for an additional 30 minutes. Final solids were 29.8%. Final molecular weight as determined by GPC (Mz) was 120,311 g/mol.

Comparative Example 5 Preparation of a Pigmented Comparative Aqueous Resinous Dispersion of Example 4 and Electrodeposition Thereof

A comparative pigmented aqueous resinous dispersion of the comparative addition polymer and curing agent dispersion of Example 4 was prepared as follows:

TABLE 5 Charge Material Amount (g) 1 Dispersion of Addition Polymer of Example 4 1735.2 2 ACPP2220¹ 271.4 3 Deionized water 1193.5 ¹Commercially available electrocoat pigment paste available through PPG Industries, Inc.

Charge 1 was added to a 1-gallon plastic bucket and agitation was started. Charge 2 was added slowly over 5 minutes. Finally, charge 3 was added over 5 minutes and the resulting mixture stirred for an additional 15 minutes.

After ultrafiltration, the paint was electrodeposited (applied at a voltage of 280V for 90s duration with a bath temperature of 80° F./) onto a 2024 T3 aluminum substrate and baked in an oven set to a temperature of 250° F. for 60 minutes. Cure testing by the Double Acetone Rub Test Method revealed that the film was not fully cured (20 DAR to metal).

After initial cure testing, 1.5% (on paint solids) Nacure 1051 (acid catalyst based on dinonylnapthalene sulfonic acid available from King Industries) was added as a free species to the paint bath and cure testing was performed again. The film now passed 100 DAR after a 60-minute bake at 250° F. However, the film was left with no adhesion to the substrate, as it did not pass crosshatch adhesion testing performed according to ISO 2409.

Comparative Example 6 Preparation of a Comparative Addition Polymer Having Sulfonic Acid and Hydroxyl Functional Groups and Aqueous Resinous Dispersion of the Comparative Addition Polymer and a Curing Agent

A comparative addition polymer having sulfonic acid and hydroxyl functional groups, without carbamate functional groups, and an aqueous dispersion of the same with a curing agent was prepared as follows:

TABLE 6 Charge Material Amount (g) 1 Butanol 55.4 2 Methacrylic acid 25.2 3 Styrene 87.7 4 Butyl acrylate 172.6 5 Hydroxyethyl acrylate 33.7 6 t-dodecylmercaptan 10.4 7 Butanol 26.7 8 t-butylperbenzoate 3.8 9 Butanol 30.6 10 2-Acrylamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic 6.5 acid (AMPS) 11 Diisopropanolamine 4.4 12 Butanol 6.0 13 t-butylperbenzoate 0.9 14 Deionized water 23.3 15 Diisopropanolamine 30.3 16 Deionized water 2.5 17 Cymel 1130 125.0 18 Deionized water 315.2 19 Deionized water 265.8 20 Deionized water 512.7

Charge 1 was added to a flask set up for total reflux with stirring under nitrogen and heated to 115° C. Charges 2-11 (with charges 9-11 premixed) were slowly added via addition funnel over 180 minutes and the resulting mixture was then held at 115° C. for an additional 30 minutes. Charges 12-13 were then added dropwise in 2 portions over separate 60-minute intervals. The reaction mixture was then held for an additional 60 minutes at 115° C. The reaction was then switched to total distillation and 113g of butanol were distilled off from the reaction mixture under vacuum. The reaction mixture was then cooled to 105° C., charge 14 was added slowly, and then the reaction mixture was cooled to 95° C. Charges 15-16 were then added and the reaction mixture held for 30 minutes. Charge 17 was added and held for an additional 30 minutes. The resulting mixture was then reverse thinned into charge 18, which was at ambient temperature, and the mixture was held for 30 minutes. Charge 19 was then added and the mixture was held for 30 minutes. Finally, charge 20 was added and held for 30 minutes. Final solids were 25.7%. Final molecular weight as determined by GPC (Mz) was 19,678 g/mol.

Comparative Example 7 Preparation of a Comparative Pigmented Aqueous Resinous Dispersion of the Aqueous Resinous Dispersion of Example 6 and Electrodeposition Thereof

A comparative pigmented aqueous resinous dispersion of the comparative addition polymer and curing agent dispersion of Example 6 was prepared as follows:

TABLE 7 Charge Material Amount (g) 1 Dispersion of Addition Polymer of Example 6 1525.0 2 ACPP2220¹ 213.4 3 Deionized water 761.6 ¹Commercially available electrocoat pigment paste available through PPG Industries, Inc.

Charge 1 was added to a 1-gallon plastic bucket and agitation was started. Charge 2 was added slowly over 5 minutes. Finally, charge 3 was added over 5 minutes and the resulting mixture stirred for an additional 15 minutes.

After ultrafiltration, the paint was electrodeposited (applied voltage of 200V for 90 s duration with a bath temperature of 75° F.) onto a 2024 T3 aluminum substrate and baked in an oven set to a temperature of 250° F. for 60 minutes. Cure testing by the Double Acetone Rub Test Method revealed that the film was fully cured (100 DAR). The film also passed crosshatch adhesion testing performed according to ISO 2409.

The film was then immersed in water at a temperature of 90° C. for 24 hours. It was then removed and baked in an oven set to 150° F. for 60 minutes to dehydrate the film. Upon retesting for cure using the Double Acetone Rub Test Method, the film failed to metal after only 50 rubs.

It will be appreciated by skilled artisans that numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure without departing from the broad inventive concepts described and exemplified herein. Accordingly, it is therefore to be understood that the foregoing disclosure is merely illustrative of various exemplary aspects of this application and that numerous modifications and variations can be readily made by skilled artisans which are within the spirit and scope of this application and the accompanying claims. 

We claim:
 1. An addition polymer comprising: an addition polymer backbone; at least one moiety comprising a sulfonic acid group; and at least one carbamate functional group.
 2. The addition polymer of claim 1, wherein the moiety comprising the sulfonic acid group comprises the structure:

wherein R_(L) comprises an organic linking group or is not present.
 3. The addition polymer of claim 1, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one moiety comprising the carbamate functional group, the moiety having the structure:

wherein R₃ comprises an organic linking group or is not present, and R₄ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group.
 4. The addition polymer of claim 1, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one group comprising the carbamate functional group, the group having the structure:

wherein R₈ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.
 5. An aqueous resinous dispersion comprising: (a) an addition polymer comprising: (i) an addition polymer backbone; (ii) at least one moiety comprising sulfonic acid group; and (iii) at least one carbamate functional group; and (b) a curing agent.
 6. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the moiety comprising the sulfonic acid group comprises the structure:

wherein R_(L) comprises an organic linking group or is not present.
 7. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the moiety comprising the sulfonic acid group comprises the structure:

wherein R₁ and R₂ each independently comprise hydrogen, an alkyl radical, or an aryl radical.
 8. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one moiety comprising the carbamate functional group, the moiety having the structure:

wherein R₃ comprises an organic linking group or is not present, and R₄ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group.
 9. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one moiety comprising the carbamate functional group, the moiety having the structure

wherein R₅ comprises a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group comprising an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or a combination thereof, and R₄ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group.
 10. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the addition polymer comprises at least one moiety comprising the carbamate functional group, the moiety having the structure:

wherein R₈ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.
 11. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the addition polymer comprises constitutional units comprising the residue of a carbamate functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising the structure:

wherein R₁₁ comprises hydrogen or an organyl group; R₁₂ comprises a divalent, substituted or unsubstituted organic group comprising an alkylene group, a cycloalkylene group, an arylene group, a cycloarylene group, or a combination thereof; and R₉ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.
 12. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the addition polymer comprises constitutional units comprising the residue of a carbamate functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising the structure:

wherein R₉ comprises hydrogen, methyl, or a C₂ to C₆ alkyl group.
 13. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the addition polymer comprises constitutional units comprising the residue of a sulfonic acid functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising the structure:

wherein R_(L) comprises an organic linking group and R₉ comprises hydrogen or a methyl group.
 14. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the addition polymer comprises constitutional units comprising the residue of a sulfonic acid functional, ethylenically unsaturated monomer comprising the structure:

wherein R₉ comprises hydrogen or a methyl group.
 15. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the curing agent comprises an aminoplast resin, a phenoplast resin, a blocked polyisocyanate, or combinations thereof.
 16. The aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5, wherein the composition is substantially free of separately added acid catalysts.
 17. A method of coating a substrate comprising electrophoretically depositing the aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 5 onto the substrate to form a coating on the substrate.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the coating deposited from the aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 6 cures at a bake temperature of 250° F. in 60 minutes or less, as measured by surviving at least 25 double acetone rubs according to Double Acetone Rub Test Method.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein the coating deposited from the aqueous resinous dispersion of claim 6 is hydrolytically stable, as determined by the Hydrolytic Stability Test Method.
 20. A coated substrate, wherein the coated substrate is at least partially coated with the aqueous resinous dispersion of claim
 5. 21. A part at least partially coated with the aqueous resinous dispersion of claim
 5. 22. A vehicle comprising the part of claim
 21. 23. The vehicle of claim 22, wherein the vehicle comprises an aerospace vehicle.
 24. A vehicle at least partially coated with the aqueous resinous dispersion of claim
 5. 25. The vehicle of claim 24, wherein the vehicle comprises an aerospace vehicle. 